Rhonda Smith
Rhonda Smith is a Canadian bassist, best known for her work with Prince.
Biography
Rhonda Smith was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her family moved to Montreal when she was a child. She and her 3 siblings were encouraged to play music and she began playing baritone horn, keyboards, guitar, and eventually electric bass. In addition to taking private classical training on upright bass, Rhonda attended McGill University in Montreal studying jazz performance. After gaining some experience in the local rock scene, she moved on to work with Canadian artists Claude Dubois, Daniel Lavoie, Robert Charebois and James Blovin. She won a Juno award for "Best Contemporary Jazz Album", for her work with Jim Hillman and The Merlin Factor.
While attending a music convention in Germany, Smith met Sheila E., and gave her a press kit after learning Prince was putting a new band together. Two months later, Prince called and Smith went to Paisley Park to record on the Emancipation album. Smith recorded and toured with Prince for almost 10 years. Other musicians she has worked with include Chaka Khan, Beyoncé, T.I., Erykah Badu, Lee Ritenour and Jeff Beck.
In 2000, she released her first solo record, Intellipop. [1]
Discography
- Intellipop (2000)
- RS2 (2006)
With the New Power Generation
- Newpower Soul - 1998