Andrea Smith

Who is Andrea Smith?

Andrea Smith was born and raised in the Kamloops and Shuswap regions of British Columbia. Smith now calls Nanaimo, B.C. her home. Music has always been a part of Smith's life. She was formally trained in piano from the age of five and later played the flute, alto sax, and guitar.

Smith started to write and compose her own material and perform in the folk rock and country style. Her influences range from Santana to John Coltrane, Eric Clapton to Ella Fitzgerald and vocal stylings that are reminiscent of Rikki Lee and Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow.

In June 2001, Smith was nominated for the Yamaha Award of Excellence at the B.C. Festival of the Arts. In June 2005, Andrea took home first place in the Shuswap Lake International Writers Festival Songwriting Competition.

Upon returning from performances in Europe, this Smith was nominated for five 2007 Vancouver Island Music Awards and was awarded the 2007 Female Songwriter of the Year. Smith is gaining international interest and recognition, not only for her songwriting but for her skillful rendering of her material in performance.