About

Will Haywood Smith was raised in the North East of England. Having played drums since the age of 6 he is one of the most exciting musical prospects to come from the region.

Will gained valuable early experience as the drummer for the Northumberland County Jazz Orchestra from 2000 to 2004 and played numerous gigs locally, nationally and internationally, touring France in the summer of 2000. Eager to progress, Will was the inaugural drummer with the North East Regional Jazz Orchestra, “Jambone”, from its formation in 2001, until 2006. One long held childhood ambition was achieved in performing at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the 2005 BBC Proms. This was broadcast live on BBC 4 television for which Will was interviewed and also live on BBC Radio 3. He toured Hungary with the band in the summer of 2006, which included playing at the hugely popular Sziget festival in Budapest.

Prior to leaving for the USA and Berklee College of Music to further his studies, Will found inspiration from warming up at drum clinics for such well-known drummers Jo Jo Mayer, Steve Ferrone, Zoro, Thomas Lang, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Steve White and Gary Husband. These experiences have proved invaluable in Wills own lessons to adults and children, lessons that Will finds as inspiring as being taught himself.

In November 2007 Will was seen in action as one of three finalists in the Mapex ‘Drummer of Tomorrow’ final at Music Live in Birmingham, UK. He came second in the 19-26 age group to a fellow Berklee graduate 3 years his senior.

As a student Will cemented his desire for music to be central to his life. Intent on performing for a living, he continues to study and has thrived under the guidance of the phenomenal Berklee drum faculty and such professionals as Dave DiCenso, Mike Mangini and Deantoni Parks. As testament to his hard work while at Berklee, Will was awarded the Vic Firth Scholarship during his final year.

Currently living in New York City, Will continues to pursue music projects both in the US and the UK. Most recently Will finished recording Paperdoll’s new album at Bushwick Studios in Brooklyn having just returned from a tour of China in October. Will also helped record 4 tracks on Silvina Moreno’s latest album recorded at Quad Lakeside Studio, NY and continues to teach at the ever popular “School of Rock” in Manhattan.