PNC Arts Alive Jazz Cultural Voices Series is extremely proud to present a unique performance featuring celebrated didgeridoo player Harold E. Smith with accompaniment by Philadelphia’s own Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble.
Mt. Airy’s own Harold E. Smith has carved out a rare and remarkable niche as Philadelphia’s premier didgeridoo player—perhaps the only one. The didgeridoo, an ancient Aboriginal instrument traditionally made from eucalyptus hollowed by termites, produces a deep, resonant tone that Smith transforms into an astonishing range of sound: meditative drones, pulsing rhythms, even playful barks.
A lifelong jazz musician, Smith discovered the didgeridoo nearly three decades ago, blending world music traditions with the improvisational spirit of jazz. His performances have taken him from Philadelphia’s Sedgwick Cultural Center to collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Byard Lancaster, Steve Turre, and Badal Roy. His self-released album, In the Valley of Sacred Sound, earned praise from DownBeat magazine for the “surprising versatility” of his didgeridoo sound—at once earthy, spiritual, and sonically rich.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Smith began as a jazz drummer, studying with the legendary Elvin Jones and performing alongside innovators like Sam Rivers and Joe McPhee during New York’s avant-garde loft era. A knee injury in the early 1990s ended his drumming career but opened the door to a new creative path. The didgeridoo became his voice—an instrument through which he channels both ancient traditions and contemporary jazz innovation.
Today, Harold E. Smith’s performances are more than concerts—they are transcendent journeys into rhythm, sound, and spirit. Smith, along with Apreggio, will fill the Clef Club stage with boundless musical energy and will undoubtedly immerse you in the soul and very essence of contemporary jazz innovation.
TICKETS HERE $35.09
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
736 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, Pa 19146
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