Alistair Smith is a guitarist, composer, teacher, writer and sound therapist living in London. He is involved in a diverse musical world and has performed in venues and festivals around the UK and Europe. He has also played live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC London radio. As a teacher, he has over 20 years experience and has produced extensive original teaching material and compositions. His first book of guitar compositions, Atmospheres and Adventures was published in April 2019 by Trinity College London Press. Alistair also studies Harp and improvisation with Tori Handsley.
Alistair graduated with first class honours in 2005 from Goldsmiths College London, winning the Barnard and Hails Prize for music. Here he studied guitar with Charles Ramirez, staying on to complete his Masters in Composition in 2007, studying under Roger Redgate. His Masters was generously funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
As a composer, he has had performances in Britain, Canada and Europe, including a variety of commissions and collaborations for short film, dance and art exhibitions. Most recently, he collaborated with world renowned artist Wallace Chan for exhibitions in London, and at the Venice Biennale 2022.
He also writes for several leading production music companies.
Alistair is interested in pure harmonic music and the so called Spectral approach to composition and sound sculpture.
As a guitarist and harpist Alistair has enjoyed playing a wide variety of styles including Classical, Rock, Folk, Electronica, Reggae and Experimental music. He has played with Chaz Jankle (Ian Dury and the Blockheads), China Soul, Chris Bond (Ben Howard, Natty) Kelli Ali (Sneaker Pimps), Jenni Roditi, and with Nicolette (Massive Attack).
