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Josh Smith Band

Blues rock guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter and producer, Josh Smith, is hailed the world over as a master guitarist with raw talent and power to spare. Blending his signature mix of blues, rock and jazz into dynamic original songs, Smith is known for his incendiary live performances, whether at the Grammy Awards or the Kennedy Center Honors with Mick Jagger, Raphael Saadiq and others.

Josh started playing guitar at age six. Praised as a blues prodigy by the time he was 12 years old, he began playing at professional blues jams in South Florida, sitting in with such greats as Jimmy Thackery, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, Double Trouble, Joanna Connor and Kim Simmonds, among others. Jimmy Thackery said of the 14-year-old, “Josh is three heartbreaks away from being a true blues guitar genius.”

Opening for B.B. King was just the beginning for this in-demand artist and lead guitarist for artists such as Taylor Hicks, Ricky Fante (Virgin Records), Raphael Saadiq, actress Taryn Manning, Universal Music Group hip-hop artists Benny Cassette and Tara Ellis, and more. He has the distinction of inducting Neil Diamond into the Kennedy Center Honors with Raphael Saadiq’s band and honoring Solomon Burke at the Grammys with Mick Jagger.

In 2006, Josh recorded his fifth CD, Deep Roots. In 2007, Josh was hired by 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks to be his lead guitarist. They completed two national tours before Josh was hired as lead guitarist by Grammy Award winner Raphael Saadiq.

In 2009, Josh released his 6th studio CD, Inception and in 2010 he was signed to Crosscut Records based in Germany. Crosscut re-released Josh’s breakout album, Deep Roots as I’m Gonna Be Ready. In 2013, Josh’s CD Don’t Give Up On Me was also released in Germany, followed by Over Your Head in 2014. In 2016, Josh’s jazz album, Still was released to critical acclaim as was Burn To Grow in 2018.

Along with touring the world, recording and performing with renowned artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Kirk Fletcher and others, Smith is also a producer and owns Flat V Studios in Los Angeles. He has produced artists Reese Wynans (Joe Bonamassa), Eric Gales, Joanna Conner, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jimmy Hall, Artur Menezes (winner of the Eric Clapton 2019 Crossroads Festival) Seth Rosenbloom, Jamey Arent and many more.

Visit the John Smith Band website for more information. 

The Manhattan Beach Concerts in the Park  is an annual event held each year at Polliwog Park.

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, then sit back and relax to the sounds of summer! Seating is first come, first served! Concerts in the Park are free and well attended; early arrival to obtain prime lawn seating is encouraged. Concert goers are asked to leave pets at home. Use low backed chairs to minimize visibility issues behind you. Don't block the aisles. Be courteous to others. No smoking in the park. Watch your children, keep them off the stage and the stage apron. Climbing the trees in the park is not permitted. Place your trash in the bins throughout the park. NO-- pets, barbecues, skateboards, scooters, or roller blades are allowed in the park. Concert staff and security are not responsible for unattended chairs blankets and other picnic items. Please do not remove items (chairs, blankets, etc.) that do not belong to you.

Parking: Please note parking can be difficult around the park during the concert series. Carpooling, walking and use of taxi/rideshare is encouraged. All handicap parking will be at Begg Pool parking lot and there will be a rideshare/taxi pick-up and drop-off area on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Download the Concerts in the Park map (PDF).

*Concert band subject to change