Gman is the performing name of Gerald L. Smith, a Newark, New Jersey musician whose electric bass style draws on jazz, R&B, funk and rock. He is also associated with game music, instrumental music and arranged game music.

Early life and musical development

Smith is born in Newark on 2 September 1960. His mother gives him a radio when he is four, and by the age of 12 he begins playing electric guitar and jamming with neighbourhood friends. Two years later, he works as a concert stage hand for Earth, Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis and The Emotions while they tour the New York and New Jersey area. That experience helps turn his attention toward bass guitar, which becomes his trademark instrument.

At 17, his father introduces him to William Earl Martin and to the music of Stanley Clarke, which deepens his interest in jazz. By 18, he is performing and recording semi-professionally with local bands in and around New Jersey.

Bands and collaborative projects

At 20, he meets guitarist Richard Miller and Gene “O” Thomas and Keith Thomas, the sons of Grady “Grade A” Thomas of Parliament/Funkadelic. That connection influences a P-Funk approach and leads to the formation of groups including The Electric Connection, Shade 2, Qaddara, J.A.G. and Unfinished Business.

Production, recording and media work

Gman also works as a producer. He produces local hip-hop artists including BabyGirl, who signs to Perfect Pair Records in 1992. He appears in the “BabyGirl Stompin” video, which airs on cable networks through New York City’s Ready or Not Productions Inc., and he records battle rhymes for Poppa Bear, the 1992–93 Hip-Hop Seminar World Champion.

Live appearances and later activity

In 1999, he appears as a panel judge at the 20th Annual Rap Masters Competitions at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. He returns to NJPAC in 2000 as bassist for folk and R&B singer-songwriter Chinua Hawk in the Summer Jazz Concert Series.

Collaborators and performance history

He performs with a wide range of artists, including Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna and Storm of Wu-Tang Clan, as well as DJ HardHittinHarry, Omega and Mafia from the Fugees refugee camp, Clearance Burke of The Invisible Man’s Band, DJ Lazy K, actor and recording artist Andre Moore, actress Elain Lockler, and others. This work establishes him as an independent international artist with multiple CDs to his credit.

Musical style

His electric bass playing is described as being in the tradition of Stanley Clarke, with the passion associated with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and shaped by jazz, R&B, funk and rock influences.