Smith Dobson V hails from Bay Area jazz royalty. His late father, pianist Smith Dobson, played with many of the greats who came through the region from the 1970s through the mid-aughts; his mother is beloved vocalist and music educator Gail Dobson; and his sister is New York vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Sasha Dobson.
The Roman numeral in his name may as well stand for the number of instruments he plays professionally, as he’s recorded on vibes, drums, and saxophones.
But neither his name nor his multiple axes could provide any protection from the devastation wrought by Covid-19, which has shuttered San Francisco night life more tightly than any Jazz Age prohibitionist could have dreamed.
Smith Dobson – tenor sax, Keith Saunders – piano, Doug Stuart – bass, James Gallagher – drums. Composition by Johnny Green. Recorded at New Improved Studios by John Finkbeiner. Mastered by Jon Cohrs. Video by Peter Varshavsky.
Also check out Dobson’s work with Bay Area clarinetist Ben Goldberg and guitarist Adam Levy on Worry Later.
Dobson has held down a Tuesday night gig at Club Deluxe in the Haight-Ashbury district for years, and turned it into one of the city’s most reliably rewarding musical hangs. It’s one of those treasured local gigs that provide some coin and the opportunity to really hone a band, and his regular cast has made the most of it.
Most weeks he’s been joined by Keith Saunders, who co-led the New York Hard Bop Quintet throughout the 90s, bassist Eric Markowitz and veteran drummer Tony Johnson. Over the years he’s held down the Tuesday slot they’ve been joined by many of the region’s finest players, but now everyone’s at home, shedding.
Rather than despair, Dobson takes the long view. “We will be back!” he says. “I feel it in my heart. We’ll be back and it will be quite a celebration. In the meantime, please stay safe, healthy, and positive.” From Smith’s lips to Satchmo’s ears.
