Nate Smith
Drums

Nate Smith

(1974–)

Chesapeake, VA, United States

Drummer who has worked with Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, and Jose James. Won two Grammys with his KINFOLK project. With TBN Trio (alongside bassist Ben Williams and pianist Takeshi Ohbayashi), appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert backing Japanese singer-songwriter Yu Sakai (2025).

Singer-songwriter Yu SakaiSakai YuSakai Yuさかいゆう became the first Japanese singer-songwriter to appear on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert (April 2025), performing with TBN Trio featuring Nate SmithNate SmithNate Smithネイト・スミス (drums) and Ben WilliamsBen WilliamsBen Williamsベン・ウィリアムズ (bass). It happened because Smith invited the NPR crew to their Shibuya show. Sakai has also recorded with John ScofieldJohn ScofieldJohn Scofieldジョン・スコフィールド, Terrace MartinTerrace MartinTerrace Martinテラス・マーティン, and Nicholas PaytonNicholas PaytonNicholas Paytonニコラス・ペイトン across previous albums — a rare J-pop artist woven into both the LA and NYC jazz scenes.

— Yu Sakai feat. TBN Trio: Tiny Desk Concert