.JB Smooth brings that fat, woody sound of a fine acoustic stand-up bass to Ted Riser's unique lineup. JB began his musical career on the violin in 1965, and wisely switched to the double bass in 1968. His early focus consisted mainly of mainstream orchestral music, and he studied with Harry Barnoff, the great Cleveland Orchestra bassist. After high school, he spent four years playing in the University Symphony Orchestra at Bowling Green State University. Although classically trained, JB Smooth was influenced by some of the great rock bass players of the 70's and 80's, including John Entwistle, Bill Wyman, John Paul Jones, and Stanley Clarke.
A long-standing hunger to play rock and rhythm & blues led JB to hook up with Cleveland rock legend Ted Riser at open mike nights in 2008, and subsequently joined Ted's "Hurricane" tribute band in 2009. JB has always respected Billy Talbot's awesome bass talent playing for Crazy Horse, and his interpretation of Talbot's bass lines wonderfully replicates the unique style of Neil Young's incredible lyrics and music.