Steve Smith and Vital Information Celebrate 40 Years with New Lineup, Album, and Tour

Steve Smith and Vital Information are marking their 40th anniversary this year with a new album and a tour to boot. Time Flies will be released on May 5th and will feature the drummer and his band joined by guests George Garzone and Mike Mainieri.

Smith has always had incredible bassists in Vital Information, including Tim Landers, Kai Eckhardt, Larry Grenadier, and Jeff Andrews. The new lineup on Time Flies is no different. The group is a trio filled out by keyboardist Manuel Valera and bassist Janek Gwizdala.

“With this album Vital Information emerges with a completely new approach as a piano trio; but not a traditional piano trio. I envisioned a trio with a big sound and a wide conceptual range, from high-energy jazz-rock, “stadium” ballads, grooving odd-times to burning straight-ahead swing. For that I need two virtuoso musicians who could rise to the challenge of this demanding setting,” Smith shares. “Janek has an orchestral approach to music, a deep pocket and the soloing ability to carry one-third of the solo space.”

Gwizdala cowrote the title track and also contributed the album closer, “Erdnase.”

After wrapping up a quick run on the West Coast on April 2nd, Vital Information will regroup on the East Coast in June. Dates will run from New York down to Washington, DC, and as far west as Cleveland, Ohio.

Steve Smith and Vital Information Tour Dates 2023: