John started out as a jazz player, touring with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, John Dankworth and Roadside Picnic, with whom he recorded many albums and performed all over Europe, including Montreux Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s club.  In the West End he was MD for Beautiful! The Carole King Musical, Les Miserables, Bombay Dreams, Fame, Daddy Cool, The Beautiful Game and guest conductor for Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King and others, and is currently Associate MD for Hamilton and Tina Turner Musical.  The John G Smith Band has appeared at festivals and London venues, and toured extensively in the UK as support/ backing band for Elaine Paige.