Stephen "Saxee" Smith Hi! Award winning professional saxophonist & recording artist of 25+ years.

Stephen "Saxee" Smith is an award winning professional saxophonist & recording artist of 25+ years. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Stephen began playing the saxophone in the 4th grade. His mother Rosa, (1955-2021), bought his first saxophone from the pawn shop in Dayton, Ohio. The Conn model alto saxophone is mounted on the wall in Stephen's home to this day. Stephen credits his early musical influences being Lakeside, Zapp, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Kenny G, Grover Washington Jr, Paquito D'Rivera, Najee, George Howard, Yolanda Adams, Outkast, and The Tonight Show Band. As a kid, during a his parent's separation, Stephen lived with his grandmothers in the evenings. Stephen describes his upbringing here:

"The first time they separated, I was 2 years old. My Mom was a Registered Nurse and my Dad was a PE teacher/Coach so in the evenings sometimes I would stay with my grandmothers. During the day, I remember watching Grover Washington Jr. on Sesame Street at one of my Grandma Anna's house. Then at night, Branford Marsalis on The Tonight Show at my Grandma Geraldine's house; depending on my parent's work schedule, and what part of the year it was."

"My Mom and Dad, (Stephen I, 1956 - 2017), had a bunch of records and cassette tapes from their college days in the basement. I would listen to them and try to play along with the recordings. I would play and learn in the elementary school band during the day, then at night play along and listen to their records, so I got two educations (smile)."

In 2000, at age 15, he was awarded a Julius Keilwerth Series II alto saxophone at the Midstates Jazz Camp held at the University of Dayton. The award was given for most improved and outstanding musician. While attending Colonel White High School for the Arts, (Renamed Thurgood Marshall STEM High School), Stephen earned Ohio Music Education Association all state musician honors his Junior and Senior years. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, Gospel Choir, and Freshman football team. As a member of the school's Jazz Band, Stephen was one of the lead soloists for the Delphi Jazz Challenge held at the renowned Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio.

Stephen attended Alabama State University where he studied Biology. He was a member of The Mighty Marching Hornet Band. As a member of the saxophone section, he was awarded the band's Best Section award in 2004. During college, Stephen played saxophone at the Maggie Street Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He also worked as an usher part time in the Joe A. Reed Acadome, ASU's basketball arena, during basketball season. Stephen's passion for music continued to grow as he worked statewide stepshows, Tyler Perry stage plays, and live musical concerts.

Stephen moved to Augusta, Georgia in 2013 after transferring with his job, He has performed with several local bands, as well as in the Atlanta, and Aiken areas. In 2018 & 2019 as a member of The Lady & the Gents Band, he earned Best R&B, as well as Best Jazz performance award honors from Augusta Magazine. In 2021, Stephen appeared on the 2nd season of the BET+ series, "American Soul," as a member of the LaBelle Band. He has also performed with well known Augusta, and Atlanta bands such as ATL Dreamvision, The Not Your Average Party Band of Atlanta, Orchestra Noir, The Celebrity All Star Band of Atlanta, The BMuzick Band, and many others. In the Augusta Gospel scene, Stephen has also performed with The Christian City of Praise, and First Baptist Church of Keysville Inc.

As a solo artist and bandleader, Stephen has traveled nationally performing, and has headlined several events. Stephen manages his own full band, including vocalists, as well as a solo instrumental performance career. Ranging in several genres, his CD, "The Key of Saxee Part 1," released in 2020, was his first self written original music project. Advancing to #2 in the region on the Reverb Nation list, Stephen has performed with several critically acclaimed artists such as Ledisi, Keke Wyatt, Wycliffe Gordon, Poncho Sanchez, and many others. In 2021, Stephen performed for the Jagger Brand Fashion Show in Atlanta. Through his wide open style of play, he has performed for weddings, parties, banquets, revivals, fashion shows, and music videos in many venues throughout the nation.

In his spare time, Stephen enjoys reading, playing cards, sports, live shows, documentaries, and movies. He also designs t-shirts that coincide with his Stephen "Saxee" Smith musical entertainment brand. A huge fan of macaroni and cheese, (smiles), Stephen is a pet enthusiast. He enjoys dogs, cats, and horses. He is an advocate for kids as a member, and brand ambassador for Sheabutter Empowerment LLC, which is a children owned clothing brand.

Stephen attributes having a personal connection with the audience and a wide range style as being key components for a successful performance.

"No matter who you are, or where you are, music brings people together. It's a thrill to be a part of that process. When people tap in to the emotion, or life status of happiness while you are on stage, then you are truly living your purpose. It's fun to see that."

From Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Reggae, Rock, Hip Hop and more, you are sure to have an exciting and fufilling musical experience when hearing Stephen "Saxee" Smith perform!