Nate Smith is one of the most exciting and versatile drummers of his generation, and North Sea Jazz knows him very well. He first performed here as a drummer with Dave Holland and was part of a legendary Beat Summit panel in 2017 alongside Mark Guiliana and Dave Weckl. The following year, he performed with his own band, KINFOLK; in 2022, he returned with them and turned the Congo completely upside down with a celebration of groove, energy, and togetherness. As a bandleader, composer, producer, and drummer, Smith moves effortlessly between jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and soul. He has collaborated with greats such as Pat Metheny, Norah Jones, Joe Jackson, Jon Batiste, and Childish Gambino. At the Grammy Awards this past February, he cemented his name with two Grammys: Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Arrangement. Proof that he doesn’t just play along – he sets the tone.
