The W.E.S. Group is a unique and inspirational jazz group led by William E.… Read Full Bio ↴The W.E.S. Group is a unique and inspirational jazz group led by William E. Smith, professional saxophonist/composer and Assistant Professor of Music and Jazz Ensemble Director at American University in Washington, DC. and holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland, a MM in jazz composition and a BM in jazz studies from Howard University. Some of the individuals he has performed or recorded with include: James Moody, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Hendricks, Fred Hammond, and Hezekiah Walker. He is a frequent lecturer and clinician in jazz, hip hop, and the music industry.

Echoes of ancestral and native sounds can be heard in this collective of talented musicians, whose folk jazz and acoustic approach create a distinctive sound of peace and beauty. Exceptional musicians in their own right, the collaboration of these seasoned musicians exhibits the passion and spirit of a “great camp meeting in the promised land” of jazz.