There’s a storm upon the mountain 
Standing over our town
One side rises up in shadow
Bids the water come down
While its better half is blanketed
By sun’s undaunted rays
In such recalcitrant display 
My eyes stay focused on the rain

Down the windows of your bedroom 
Glossy rivers descend 
Shifting shapes and new perspectives 
Focus where the light bends 
Tightly wound defense unspooling 
Like a film within your gaze
Time exposing every frame 
As you’re pulling sunlight through the rain

Wide open skies
Come and take their turn
It’s no surprise 
I still feel the burn
Let go the letters sent
Take time as medicine 
Pain gets lighter 
Memories, brighter

In the corner of your garden 
Potted two to a chair
Where our solitude would soften 
Bent limbs seeking repair
Firmly rooted in the hope that spring 
Has still yet more to say 
Sugar beading on the cane
Like pulling sunlight through the rain 

Here waters part
Split to separate streams 
So too my heart
Tearing at the seams
And though we’re moving on 
The past is never gone
I’ll see your eyes
Every sunrise 

There’s a mist upon the harbor
Prisms seeking the light
There’s a wisp of former ardor 
Falling down with the night
There’s a rainbow stretching from this shore
To find you where you stay
Another bridge across the bay 
Gesturing toward a brighter day
Born pulling sunlight through the rain

Sunlight Through The Rain

Steve Lloyd Smith
Bassist / Composer / Bandleader

“Bassist and composer Steve Smith writes gorgeous, haunting original music. His compositions, often a response to literature, nature or social movements, are rich with exotic harmonies, unexpected melodies and driving rhythms.” –David Blake, Tangent Cafe

“That tradition [the piano trio] is beautifully represented, and nudged forward at least a bit on Chantal’s Way, which, is a meeting of players with an open line of communication, a three-way dialogue…Behind the session, literally, musically, and organizationally, is Smith, a strong player and composer...”
–Josef Woodard, Jazztimes Magazine

“Smith, who loves the music of Scott LaFaro and that kind of postmodern bassist, has made quite a statement with this extraordinarily consistent and inspired performance.”
–Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

For over three decades Bassist/Composer/Bandleader Steve Lloyd Smith has had the privilege of writing over a hundred and twenty-five songs including fifteen suites, and the honour of recording with some of the best musicians in New York (Richie Beirach, Billy Hart, Adam Rogers, Clarence Penn, Taylor Eigsti, Eric Harland). His debut album as a leader, Chantal's Way (recorded at Sorcerer Sound Studios March 1996 in New York) on Double Time Records features Richie Beirach and Billy Hart. Smith’s album Roll (recorded at Systems Two Studios March 2010 in New York) features Adam Rogers and Clarence Penn. Smith’s most recent New York album Breathe (recorded at Sear Sound Recording Studios March 2015) features Taylor Eigsti and Eric Harland.

Steve Lloyd Smith relocated to Vancouver in 2000 and began writing, performing and recording with some of the best musicians in Vancouver (Chris Gestrin, Dave Sikula, Joe Poole, Jillian Lebeck, Paul Townsend, Dave Say, Tom Foster, Kevin Elaschuk, Lisa Miller, Dylan van der Schyff). Smith’s trio album Life Cycle Suite (recorded at Riverside Recording Studios July 2001 in Vancouver) features Dylan van der Schyff. Smith’s first quintet album Five (recorded at The Factory Studios October 2002 in Vancouver) features Dave Say, Kevin Elaschuk, and Dylan van der Schyff. Smith’s first quintet Five was called “one of the most vibrant bands on the burgeoning Vancouver jazz scene”. On June 25th, 2004, Five opened for Mike Stern at the Centre for the Performing Arts for the 2004 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, resulting in the live album FIVE Live at the Centre. In July 2006, Smith was contracted by Zula Productions to present four concerts of original music for the Artist in Residence series at rime. In November 2007, Smith’s second quintet Shapes recorded the album Cry (recorded at The Factory Studios November 2007 in Vancouver) featuring Dave Say, Dave Sikula, and Tom Foster. Smith’s second quintet Shapes was said to be “moody, swinging and altogether modern”. On October 2nd, 2008, Shapes recorded the live album SHAPES Live at the Cellar. Smith’s project, Songs features Jillian Lebeck, and Paul Townsend. Songs was “formed specifically to explore the open conversational style of the piano trio combined with the lyrical quality of the voice”. Two live performances in the 2009 and 2010 Vancouver International Jazz Festival resulted in the live album SONGS Live at the Roundhouse. Smith’s most recent Vancouver album Deep River of the Soul (recorded at Monarch Recording Studio October 2017 in Vancouver) is a complete recording of two original suites, and features Chris Gestrin, Dave Sikula, and Joe Poole. All ten of Steve Lloyd Smith’s albums as a leader were released on his record label Chantal’s Way.

Sunlight Through The Rain

John Knight