Jez Smith FRSA - Feeling sound?
- Isobel Arden
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
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Meet Jez Smith - Sound bath therapist and ancient music expert.
Jez Smith is a bit of a musical instrument time-traveller. With over 40 years under his belt playing everything from the lute to the hurdy-gurdy, Jez brings ancient music back to life in ways that don’t involve dust or boredom.
Starting as a modern guitarist, Jez quickly realised the past had way cooler sounds. So he dove headfirst into period instruments spanning the Middle Ages to the 17th century, mastering the kind of music that would have had Shakespeare tapping his toes.
But Jez isn’t just about blowing old tunes dust-free. With a BA in Sociology, a Museum Master’s, and professional sound therapy diploma, he’s also a sound whisperer who knows how to make music heal your soul as well as your ears.
He now leads sold-out sound bath workshops at venues such as kew Gardens, and teaches everything from ancient chants to the magic of listening.
His project, Playing in Time, is the perfect blend of history, sound, and storytelling — proving that old music doesn’t have to be stuck in a museum case. Whether it’s a medieval melody or a multi-sensory sound experience, Jez is your guide on a sonic journey through time.
If you’re curious, or just want to hear how medieval bagpipes can really rock, Jez is your man.
The interview on Spotify
In their interview together, Mark created Jez's fantasy cultural year with the aid of a time machine and a magic wand
A Love for History and Gongs
Favourite building? Hampton Court Palace, hands down. Jez and Mark geeked out over its rich history, architecture, and – of course – how good gongs would sound echoing through those ancient halls.
They also shared a fun tangent about Roger Taylor from Queen (Jez is a fan!).
Café Daydreams & The Sound Therapy League
Mark and Jez imagined a whimsical moment: Jez, sipping coffee in a pop-up café at Hampton Court, reading a book.
Then things got bold. What if Jez was hired by a wealthy foundation to create a global league table of sound therapy? Performances, travel, a TV series, TED Talk and a book deal are up for grabs.
Jez: “Count me in.”
Swedish Folk & 70s Rock
Next stop: Sweden. Jez is keen to explore Sami culture and traditional music.
Mark challenged him: Pick one genre to listen to for a whole year.
Jez’s pick? LOUD 70s rock. His playlist would feature:
Led Zeppelin
Deep Purple
Black Sabbath
Rainbow
Queen
Jimmy Page
Teleporting Through Culture
With imagination fully unlocked, they teleported (Star Trek-style) to:
Stockholm – to see a dance show and eat Turkish food (or was it Thai green curry?)
Berlin – to watch the World Athletics Championships
Jez also expressed a wish to see the Whirling Dervishes from Turkey.
Gongs in Nepal & Digital Art in Kathmandu
Jez dreams of visiting Nepal, the source of his beloved gongs. While there, why not pop into a digitally-enhanced art gallery in Kathmandu?
He loves the Pre-Raphaelites, especially John William Waterhouse, and would love to see an animated version of one of his paintings.
Artistic Bucket List
Their dream cultural week would include:
A historic 70s rock concert
A play (maybe Macbeth)
A West End musical (Les Mis, obviously)
Opera (Turandot)
A classic movie night
Jez regrets never seeing John Renbourn and Bert Jansch, but hopes to catch Pentangle live someday.
Dream Dinner Party
Mark suggested a research idea: "Have lunch with anyone – who would it be?" Jez picked Nick Drake. And who would Nick invite? Probably a blues legend.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
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