Bio

Ed Smart launched his career with a bachelor's degree from the groundbreaking Studio Music and Jazz program of the University of Miami, after being recruited from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. He then earned a master's degree in Studio Jazz Writing, also from the University of Miami, where he taught as a vocal conductor and jazz instructor.

Now, Ed’s film and television composing repertoire extends from the inspirational to the intriguing to the zany. Composing credits for feature length productions include Denzel Washington’s Oscar-nominated and Peabody award-winning documentary HANK AARON: CHASING THE DREAM (directed by Mike Tollin), Shaquille O’Neal’s award-winning movie series, SPORTS THEATER (Nickelodeon), BLUETOPIA: THE LA DODGERS MOVIE, SALT AND LIGHT: THE MIRACLE IN HOLLYWOOD, and GUN AND A HOTEL BIBLE, for which Ed received the Best Original Score award from the L.A. LIVE FILM FESTIVAL in Los Angeles. He has also received Telly and Accolade awards for his scoring and songwriting for the children's animated series IESODO (Zaya Toonz /Capitol Distribution). 

Comedy television credits include 7 seasons of ARLI$$, one of Max’s longer running comedy series, and ASSUME THE POSITION WITH MR. WUHL (Max, D.A. Pennebaker, prod.), both resulting from a long-time collaboration with Emmy award-winning actor/comedian/writer Robert Wuhl.  

Other television credits include FANTOMWORKS (MotorTrend) and A HAUNTING (Discovery), for which Ed received another Telly award, INTERPOL INVESTIGATES (streaming on Tubi/Pluto TV), and songwriting for TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL (CBS). Ed’s orchestration clients include AMERICAN IDOL (FOX/ABC), for which Ed was also a member of the original on-air house band, plus Beyoncé, Jewel, Peabo Bryson, Angie Stone, and Donnie McClurkin. Additional music credits include the HARPO SOUNDS library for Harpo Productions (OPRAH, DR.OZ, SUPER SOUL SUNDAY, IYANLA FIX MY LIFE), DUCK DYNASTY, the off-Broadway play HIT LIT (Queens Theater, New York), and the short film A TEMP FOR ALL SEASONS, for which Ed was honored with Best Original Score from the 168 HOUR FILM FESTIVAL in Pasadena, California. Ed is also a published composer of choral music, with titles available through Fred Bock Music Company and Theodore Presser Music.

Ed’s work as a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist has taken him all over the world with numerous Grammy and other award-winning artists, including Amy Grant, Bob James, Michael W. Smith, Ambrosia, Kirk Franklin, Chayanne and the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Even the inimitable Pat Boone. Latin artists such as Braulio and Marisela have featured Ed as a producer, performer, and orchestrator.                                                                                                                                                            
Ed grew up with a solid musical foundation beginning as a soloist with the Singing Boys of Houston (now Houston Boychoir), often featured with the Houston Symphony. Sports, however, were equally his passion, making him perhaps the first, if not the only, operatic ball boy for the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

But having Texas roots means more than business. Ed contributes his talents to charitable causes close to his heart, serving as the musical director for three annual Literacy In Media Awards charity galas for the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles, as President of the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley, and as Vice-chair of the Arts and Culture Roundtable for the City of Thousand Oaks. He has also served as a worship leader in many churches throughout the country.

A recent Centennial Medalist from the University of Miami, Ed has often spoken on college campuses and high schools, and enjoys working with students in developing careers in composing and recording.

Ed and his family reside in Greater Los Angeles, the next best thing to Texas.