When The Tonight Show moved to the West Coast, Smith opted to stay in New York and continue his career as a "first call" studio musician.
The material Smith has recorded also includes movie sound tracks among them Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters (1986),[3] Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence; (1993).
The roster of singers with whom Derek Smith performed go from Frank Sinatra[4] to Luciano Pavarotti,[5] Placido Domingo and Robert Palmer (in the Royal Albert Hall).
[6] Lyricist Sammy Cahn, a good friend until his death, comedian Steve Allen, and many other performers have frequently called upon his accompanying and conducting skills.
With Doc Severinsen With Marlena Shaw With Tony Mottola With Linda Lewis With Arnett Cobb With Bill Watrous With Teresa Brewer With Louie Bellson With Buddy DeFranco With Flip Phillips With Milt Hinton With Benny Goodman With Dick Meldonian With others