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When Drummerszone.com asked Larnell Lewis at The 2025 Europe Drum Show, who among his students is the most popular drummer, Larnell's words were:"That's Nate Smith, man. It's Nate. Everybody wants to play like him."
Nate Smith is one of the most exciting and versatile drummers of his generation, and at North Sea Jazz, they know him well. His earliest performances date back to 2004 with the Chris Potter Group (and Wayne Krantz) and with Dave Holland. In 2017 he was part of a legendary Beat Summit panel with Mark Guiliana and Dave Weckl, which we covered here.
Here is the more than interesting video of that session.
Mark Guiliana, Nate Smith & Dave Weckl Session at North Sea Jazz
José James
That same year, we walked in at the show of the amazing singer José James, where Nate was backing the American singer with Gideon van Gelder and Josh Hari. Just before North Sea José James released 'Love In A Time Of Madness' on which Nate plays on the song Ladies Man. On James' 2018 album 'Lean On Me', together with Pino Palladino and Lenny Castro, Nate takes care of all the songs with some stunning rhythm section work on this tribute to Bill Withers.
Nate Smith with José James at North Sea Jazz Festival (July 7, 2017) © drummerszone.com
KINFOLK
The following year, he performed with his own band, KINFOLK. In 2022, the group returned and turned the Congo completely upside down. 'Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere' is his second solo album and often considered as Nate Smith's breakthrough as a bandleader/composer. Also, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Besides the band, it features greats like Dave Holland, Lionel Loueke and Chris Potter.
Nate Smith's KINFOLK at the 2022 North Sea Jazz Festival © drummerszone.com
The Fearless Flyers
On the same day that year he played (and crushed) the Maas stage with The Fearless Flyers with Mark Lettieri on baritone guitar, Cory Wong on guitar, and Joe Dart on bass in front of ±10,000 people. If you don't know The Fearless Flyers, just shame on you and go check them out!
Nate Smith with The Fearless Flyers at North Sea Jazz 2022 © drummerszone.com
Nate Smith with Brittany Howard
And again, in 2024 Nate played twice on the same day at North Sea Jazz. Technically, his show with the awesome American artist Brittany Howard was before his performance with Vulfpeck, but we have to keep the tension high. In 2024 he did some incredible drumming duties on her album 'What Now' and did the accompanying tour to promote the album. And again, during this show as well, Nate showed his musicianship is of the highest levels - serving the music and the band first.
Two images here, because of his cool Ludwig kit with two bass drums, and the Roland SPD-SX, probably the Roland SPD-SX Special Edition. We would still love to ask him about this configuration!
Nate Smith's drums with Brittany Howard at the 2024 North Sea Jazz Festival © drummerszone.com
Nate Smith with Brittany Howard at the 2024 North Sea Jazz Festival © drummerszone.com
Nate Smith with Vulfpeck - Daddy, He Got a Tesla
The main video with this article. Nate Smith surprises the Nile hall at North Sea Jazz 2024 with a performance that blew many off their feet. The instant ability to produce such a groove and make 10,000 people dance, is as amazing as it is dazzling.
For reference, below the video is the original version, with Jamire Williams on the drums. Below that are four more songs by Vulfpeck at the 2024 North Sea Jazz festival. You can watch Nate play again on '3 on E', the third song in the video.
Nate Smith & Vulfpeck - Daddy, He Got a Tesla
In the video we see Nate with Theo Katzman, Joey Dosik, Joe Dart and Cory Wong. Two minutes of sheer fun!
Vulfpeck - Daddy, He Got a Tesla (Original - with Jamire Williams)
Vulfpeck | Live at North Sea Jazz 2024
Nate Smith with Vulfpeck at North Sea Jazz Festival 2024 © drummerszone.com
Grammys and more
As a bandleader, composer, producer, and drummer, Smith moves effortlessly between jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and soul. He has collaborated with greats such as Pat Metheny, Norah Jones, Joe Jackson, Jon Batiste, and Childish Gambino. At the Grammy Awards 2026, he cemented his name with two Grammys: Best Alternative Jazz Album for LIVE-ACTION and Best Arrangement for the track Big Fish - säje (Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick, and Amanda Taylor).
LIVE-ACTION - Winner Best Alternative Jazz Album
LIVE-ACTION - on Apple Music
LIVE-ACTION - on Spotify
LIVE-ACTION - on Bandcamp
#a kid from chesapeake va
The hash-text Nate used with this photo. Just amazing, two Grammys!
The North Sea Jazz Competition
In 2026 he is playing at the North Sea Jazz festival on Sunday 12 July at the Darling stage at 21:15pm. And as it goes on this festival with only great artists, his timeslot competes with John Legend, Hiromi with Gene Coye, Johnathan Blake who is playing with Kris Davis, Ravi Coltrane and Terence Blanchard with Oscar Seaton, and with Ralph Rolle, who is still grooving it with Nile Rodgers' Chic. We will try to cover them all!
Nate Smith officially plays
- Ludwig drums
- Zildjian cymbals
- Evans drumheads
- Vic Firth signature drumsticks
- Roland
