Carlton J. Smith

Carlton J. Smith

    Official Biography 

    Singer, songwriter, producer, actor, Carlton J. Smith is often referred to as "Soul Brother Number New" for his hard-charging R&B act. His widely acclaimed R&B/Funk/Soul Revue shows are real crowd-pleasers.

    Carlton is a very dynamic and engaging performer with a live show that exhibits both his stage presence and high energy from start to finish.  He has been producing, hosting and performing in a series of R&B/Soul Revues since 2002 at the world renowned B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.  Initially conceived as a one-show deal, his sold out performance inspired B.B. Kings Club to book him monthly for a series of tributes to the music of Al Green, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Sly & The Family Stone, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and a host of other superstars.  He took the same show to The Blue Note in Las Vegas for a four-week run and then began performing on the Groove Series shows at The Blue Note in New York City. 

    In the beginning of 2005, Carlton completed a three-month stint at the House of Blues & Jazz in Shanghai, China where he delivered Soul & Blues straight from his heart, show after show, night after night. After receiving rave reviews in Shanghai in 2006, Carlton J. Smith was asked to bring his brand of Real School Funk & Soul to Zurich, Switzerland; London, England; and, then returned to The House of Blues & Jazz in Shanghai. He was invited to perform at the movie premiere of "The Golden Compass" in Hong Kong in December of 2007...the performance was only for 15 minutes...however, Carlton made it a show! From June through September 2008 Carlton and his band performed six nights per week, three shows per night at the "new" House of Blues & Jazz located on The Bund in Shanghai China. Night after night the club was packed with locals, tourists, fans and friends. On stage, Carlton is charming, enthusiastic and mesmerizing. The participation and support from those in attendance was phenomenal, which testifies to both the entertainer and to those being entertained. Carlton and his band begin a new three-month stint starting in November 2008, performing at "Champions", a venue located in The Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao.

    Carlton, along with his band, "The Soul Brothers", is touring worldwide. Carlton J. Smith is fast becoming known as the "International Soul Brother # New".

    A true showman, he performed at some of the world's top venues. His talent is so widely acclaimed that he was chosen from a casting call of 500 to portray the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown on the silver screen in Barry Levinson's film "Liberty Heights." Carlton co-starred opposite Joe Mantegna, Bebe Neuwirth and Adrian Brody. When James Brown passed away this past year, Carlton was called to perform in his place along side Chaka Kahn on New Year's Eve at B.B. King Blues Club NYC. Carlton expanded his horizons into theatre, playing a lead role in an upcoming Broadway musical entitled "Largo" written by the award winning David Henry Hwang ("M. Butterfly" and "Aida"). He plays opposite Cyndi Lauper, Fisher Stephens and Garth Hudson (The Band). Carlton also appears on the TV Soap Opera "As The World Turns."

    Carlton has a few CDs: "Carlton J. Smith Live at B. B. Kings", "Waiting" and his new recording, "Diagram Of A Relationship" (a concept CD centered on the dynamics between a man and a woman). It focuses on an entire relationship from start to finish. This CD (available on http://www.cdbaby.com/) also contains the two songs "I'd Better" and "Love" which were released on Soulchoonz Records UK during June 2007. He is also working on a new recording "SkinnyBone Tree" which will be released in the Fall of 2008. Also available is his DVD which is a compilation of various shows. These are all available on the website and at his shows, as well as updates and show information.