Larry Smith & the Jazz Kicks: A Tribute to a Musical Legend

LOGAN, Utah — Larry Smith, the founder of the Jazz Kicks band, will be honored in a special performance at 7:30 p.m. April 1 in the Morgan Theatre on the USU campus.

The semi-annual Jazz Kicks event will pay tribute to the musician, educator and arranger, who passed away on Feb. 24. The 17-piece band, composed of accomplished musicians from Northern Utah, will perform some of Smith’s favorite jazz selections in a heartfelt celebration of his life and legacy.

Greg Wheeler, a Ph.D. in music, education, jazz, woodwinds and conducting, said that this event would be particularly meaningful.

“All musicians in the Jazz Kicks band are graduates of Utah State University with professional careers. Every one of them, including me, were in Larry’s bands when he was working here,” Wheeler said. “The theme of this concert is Favorite Selections of Dr. Larry Smith. He actually planned this concert and arranged the music for this concert.”

The concert will feature several of Smith’s favorite tunes, including one that holds a particularly special place in the hearts of those who knew him.

“His favorite tune is ‘Corner Pocket’ by Count Basie," Wheeler said. "We played this at his funeral and did a New Orleans-style march into the mortuary. It was a celebration of Larry’s life.”

Smith’s legacy extended beyond his educational work. After his retirement from USU, he poured himself into what would become his ultimate passion project: the Larry Smith Jazz Kicks Band. This band played two concerts per year, along with special performances like the Glen Miller shows.

Smith chose a different artist or theme for every concert, often taking deep dives into the works of legendary musicians such as Chick Corea, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Maynard Ferguson. His passion for music was clear, because he meticulously transcribed each of the 18 instruments from the original recordings, creating complex arrangements that showcased his deep understanding of jazz.

“Larry would get up every morning and work on Kicks arrangements,” Wheeler said. “When he’d get too tired from that, he’d practice sax. When his lip had had enough, he’d go back to arranging.”

For those interested in attending the concert, tickets can be purchased online or at the CCA Box Office.

“Larry is an icon in the state of Utah. There have been concerts all over the state in honor of him,” Wheeler said. “This will be an ultimate concert in memory of Larry.”