Jazz star Tommy Smith sacked from Conservatoire role

Leading Scottish jazz musician Tommy Smith has been dismissed from his senior role at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

It follows reports in the Mail on Sunday that the 58-year-old saxophonist had started a relationship with a student

Smith had held the Head of Jazz position at the prestigious Glasgow music school for the last 16 years.

The Conservatoire confirmed that he had been dismissed "following a disciplinary investigation and hearing".

A spokesperson added: "RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff."

Smith has had a prolific and successful music career and in 2009 was appointed as the inaugural head of the first-ever full-time jazz course at the RCS.

He has been approached for comment.

Tommy Smith has been a star of the jazz world since his teens.

He was born and brought up in the Wester Hailes housing scheme in Edinburgh and began playing while a pupil at the local secondary. He recorded his first album - Giant Strides - when he was just 16.

He won a scholarship to study in the United States and was signed to the Blue Note jazz label at 22.

He went on to found the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and has worked with many jazz greats including Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine and Miles Davis.

A noted composer and arranger as well as a performer, Tommy Smith was awarded the OBE in 2019 and holds honorary doctorates from Heriot Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.