Kester Smith

Kester Winston "Smitty" Smith was an American percussionist.

Born in Granada and raised from a young age in Trinidad, he was the drummer for the Taj Mahal Trio and collaborated with jazz, blues and world musicians.

[1][2] He performed with and alongside Taj Mahal for over forty years.

[3] He recorded music with Taj Mahal, Geoff Muldaur, Peter Rowan, Cedella Booker, Morgan Freeman, Ellen McIlwaine, Mary Coughlan and Pinetop Perkins.

[4] Smith died surrounded by family, in his adopted hometown of St. Helena, California on January 15, 2024.