From Blues Access, by Cary Wolfson

You heard it here first: Sasha Smith is a monster.

This 14-year old (13 when he recorded most of these tracks) keyboard player from the wilds of Sonoma County, California, not only has outstanding chops but musical ideas and sophistication way beyond his age.

He lists among his influences Johnnie Johnson, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, Art Lande, James Booker, Mose Allison, Jimmy Smith, Charles Brown, Miles Davis, Dr. John, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane.

And just what were you listening to when you were 13? You may be able to find flashes of anyor all of these artists in Sasha's playing, but the young man melds them with his own genius on 11 original instrumentals..... blues, boogie woogie(with a strong Camille Howard feel) and more than a little jazz.

He's got fine support, too, that includes guitarist Steve Kimock of the excellent Bay Area band Zero. Check out Straight Up and for certain in 10 years you'll be saying you "heard him when."

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