Recordings

“I don't know what religion Hal Smith practices, and it would be rude of me to ask, but he works miracles when he plays. His rollicking beat makes any band sit up straight and play a thousand times better. He listens to his colleagues and doesn't overshadow them. Just hearing Hal play a four-bar hi-hat introduction is a treat. He's an old-fashioned musical drummer in the best contemporary way: he loves the many sounds he can get from his drum set and he generously shares them with us. I am sure that the ghosts of Dave Tough, George Wettling, Sidney Catlett, Zutty Singleton, and Baby Dodds, wherever they might be, feel cosmic pleasure when Hal Smith swings out. As do we!”

– Michael Steinman

"When Hal Smith plays, the spirits of George Wettling, Zutty Singleton and Dave Tough smile. Rather than just sounding like his predecessors, Hal Smith plays like a creative drummer from 1936, uplifting music with taste, swing, class and subtle ideas. Whether it is small group swing, San Francisco jazz, 1920s classics or freewheeling Eddie Condon jazz, Hal Smith is the perfect drummer for each situation."

– Scott Yanow