Though Steve Smith didn’t travel far to study percussion, his career as a drummer has been quite a journey.

Smith was born Aug. 21, 1954, in Whitman, Mass. He got his first drum kit at the age of 2, and began taking lessons from Bill Flanagan at age 9. By the age of 12, Smith had a “real” drum set, and in his teens started playing not only in his high school band, but with various garage bands. He graduated high school in 1972, then attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.

For about two years, Smith was a member of the Lin Biviano Big Band. He then toured with jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and spent some time with the California-based rock band Montrose (which included future rock legend Sammy Hagar and scored a few minor hits with “Rock Candy,” “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Space Station No. 5.”) before landing the gig that would define his career.

In 1978, Smith joined the rock band Journey. Fronted by Steve Perry, the group scored its greatest commercial success during Smith’s tenure on the drums, from his joining the band to mid-1985. Smith left the group for 10 years, but returned in 1995 to join their 1996 comeback album “Trial By Fire.” During the prior decade, he played with The Storm, which in essence was a Journey offshoot, featuring Gregg Rolie and bassist Ross Valory from the prior group in addition to Smith.

Aside from his notable work with Journey, Smith has worked as a session musician for an impressive array of artists. His list of collaborations includes: Andrea Bocelli; Maria Carey; Canadian rocker Bryan Adams; world-famous musician Zakir Hussain; and the band Savage Garden.

Like many top percussionists, Smith furthers the cause of drumming by producing educational videos and DVDs. His “Steve Smith Drumset Technique – History of the U.S. Beat” was highly acclaimed.

In 2003, Smith recorded a pair of albums with a quintet known as Buddy’s Buddies, all of them alumni of various Buddy Rich groups. Both gigs were recorded live at the famous London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, and are dubbed “Very Live at Ronnie Scott’s: Set One & Set Two.” The group has recently been renamed “Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy” and serves as a tribute band to many great jazz drummers – not just Buddy Rich.

Separately, Smith also leads his own jazz group, Vital Information.