Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and conductor. He has performed alongside some of the leading names in jazz and was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler's Big Band with whom he had a long association, recently finishing co-writing Wheeler's biography. Regarded as one of the leading experts on Wheeler's life and music, he has given masterclasses and performances around the world in residence at many of the leading jazz programmes. Nick has released three albums as a leader to critical acclaim, including 2005’s “Remembering Nick Drake”; described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….”. Since 2013 he has been awarded the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Jazz Education, Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music, and conferred with Professorship from the University of London as well as completing his PhD at the Academy.