Prof. Richard Smith, Director of the Jazz Guitar program at the renowned USC Thornton School - is a contemporary jazz artist with six top five recordings under his own name, earning such accolades as "Best Jazz Record of the Year" - Tune-up magazine, a nomination for best jazz record of the year (Ad Lib Magazine, Japan) and a Best New Artist award (Radio and Records Magazine). He has recorded on the Bluenote, Capitol, Sony, CBS, Bluemoon, CMG, Brainchild, New World, Nova, Manhattan, Heads Up and Innercity Record Labels. His performing schedule has also included freelance work in the motion picture and television industry, and live performances on VH-1, Black Entertainment Television, NPR, PBS, BET on Jazz, and the German music television program "Ohne Filter".