Bio & Press Kit
In a Fanfare review of Richard Jordan Smoot’s orchestral recording, Hauntings, Phillip Scott said: “Richard Jordan Smoot’s orchestral music is very strong: there is an intensity and muscularity about it… barely a moment goes by where there is not something at stake. Take for example, the Overture to Faust, J.D.: nervous rhythms with a hint of jazz/rock about them urge the piece forward, while the snatches of solo violin (representing Mephistopheles) are menacing in their attack. A terrific piece!”
Richard Jordan Smoot was born in Missouri and grew up in Connecticut where he began his musical studies. He studied composition with Thomas Wells, Gregory Proctor and Elliott Schwartz, receiving his doctorate in 1986 from The Ohio State University. In 1991, Smoot was a Resident Associate at the Atlantic Center for the Arts where he worked and studied with the Russian composer, Rodion Shchedrin.
Smoot’s compositions have been performed and broadcast many times throughout the world, including at Lincoln Center and in the Czech Republic with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra. His catalog includes over a dozen orchestral and large ensemble works, as well as numerous chamber, vocal, electronic and solo compositions. Smoot, a classical guitarist, has written many works for his instrument and has been an active performer throughout his career. Performers who have presented Smoot’s music include Carpe Diem String Quartet, Richard Stoltzman, The Moravian Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Elinor Coleman Dance Ensemble, Minnesota Sinfonia, Christopher Teves, Lynn Harting-Ware, Paul Robinson and others.
Smoot’s compositions are recorded and published by Sound Endeavors LLC, Columbus, Ohio and Acoma Company of Toronto, and can be purchased at CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes. Smoot has received financial support for his work from many sources including the Ohio Arts Council, the American Music Center, Ohio Northern University, Charleston Southern University, Meet The Composer and the Johnstone Fund for New Music. He is a member of Broadcast Music, Inc. and the American Composers Forum. In addition to his activities as a composer and classical guitarist, Smoot has worked as an educator and consultant in the music technology field. Smoot was an Associate Professor at Ohio Northern University and a visiting faculty member at The Ohio State University.
