Jazz star quits orchestra after being sacked by Conservatoire
Confirming his dismissal, a spokesperson for RCS told The Herald last week: "RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.'
One of the world's leading saxophonists, Smith was awarded an OBE for services to jazz in the 2019 New Year honours list.
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Leading jazz musician sacked by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Orchestra statement after jazz star sacked from Conservatoire role
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A presence on the global jazz scene since his teenage years, Edinburgh-born Smith has gone on to record with definitive jazz label Blue Note and work with myriad jazz greats, including Chick Corea and Dame Cleo Laine.
He established the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 1995 and ensured its progress until funding began in 1998.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra said: "The Board of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra has formally accepted Tommy Smith's resignations from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Board and as its Artistic Director.
"We thank Tommy for his enormous contribution to Jazz - in Scotland, the UK and beyond. His work in building up the SNJO, TSYJO and the RCS Jazz Education programme has nurtured an amazing talent base of musicians and created a lasting legacy for Jazz in Scotland.
"Building on this foundation, we are well-placed to deliver our planned 2025-26 programmes with interim artistic direction from Senior Orchestra members, Alumni and an extensive roster of visiting bandleaders and arrangers, while we search for his replacement."
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