Rhonda Smith

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. 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, she met Sheila E., and gave her a press kit after learning Prince was putting a new band together.

2 months later, Prince called and she went to Paisley Park to record on the "Emancipation" album. She recorded and toured with Prince for almost 10 years. In addition, she has worked with Jeff Beck, Chaka Kahn, Beyonce, T.I., Erykah Badu, Lee Ritenour and more. In 2000, she released her first solo effort, "Intellipop".

Discography

Intellipop (2000)

RS2 (2006)

With the New Power Generation

Newpower Soul - 1998