Nick Smart

Nick Smart is a Professor and Head of Jazz Programmes at the Royal Academy of Music, part of the University of London. A renowned trumpeter, educator, and musical director, he has received prestigious awards including the UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education (2013) and Honorary Membership of the Academy (2015). His academic and artistic work bridges jazz performance, education, and historical scholarship.

Education: Completed a PhD at the Royal Academy of Music focusing on the life and legacy of Kenny Wheeler, co-authoring Wheeler’s biography for Equinox Publications.

Research Interests: Jazz pedagogy, trumpet performance techniques, music arrangement, Afro-Cuban jazz fusion, and the historiography of 20th-century jazz figures. His work emphasizes cross-cultural musical synthesis and youth education pathways.

Advising & Initiatives: Founded the Jazz BMus programme and established initiatives like the Kenny Wheeler Prize and International Jazz Artist in Residence scheme. Active in youth education through the National Youth Jazz Collective and NYJO London.

Labs/Ensembles: Leads large ensembles globally, including the Grahamstown Festival Big Band (South Africa), Jazz Institute Berlin projects, and directs the Stan Sulzmann Neon Orchestra and Troykestra. Current projects include co-writing Kenny Wheeler’s biography.