Damon Smith

Damon Smith is a New York City-based musician and improviser with a rich background in free jazz and experimental music. Born on October 17, 1972, in Spokane, WA, he started his musical journey in the early 1990s inspired by punk rock bands like fIREHOSE and the Minutemen before transitioning to free improvisation and double bass after being influenced by avant-garde jazz artists. He is deeply involved in the world of free improvisation, collaborating with many legendary musicians such as Roscoe Mitchell, Joe McPhee, and Peter Kowald, and he runs the Balance Point Acoustics label, which has been a key outlet for creative music since 2001.

Damon’s music spans a wide range, often blending jazz-rooted improvisation with experimental textures, and he is known for expanding the possibilities of the double bass through both solo and collaborative projects. He has released numerous albums, including recent works like *Turn into Nothing* and *Pelican Sky*. He also performs extensively in venues and festivals, continuously pushing the boundaries of free improvisation while drawing on classical technique and jazz references.