About Ernest Smith

Ernie Smith is a South African Music Award-winning singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and businessman. born and based in Durban, in Kwazulu-Natal, on the East Coast of South Africa. Smith is synonymous with mixing contemporary jazz, R&B, Afro, gospel, and pop styles of music and has the rare talent of appealing to music lovers from a wide spectrum of tastes and ages.

In 2001, Ernie Smith released his first album, “Child of the Light,” which went on to win a South African Music Award for Best Newcomer and a second award for Best Adult Contemporary Album. Adding to Smith’s array of awards is the Kora All Africa Music Award for the most promising male artist in Africa.

Quickly becoming a household name, Smith went on to release his second album, “Lovely Things,” which gave him access to a younger R&B and jazz audience, winning him a South African Music Award for best jazz adult contemporary album in 2002 and a Metro FM Award for best jazz artist in 2003.

In 2005, Smith went on to win another South African music award for best joint composition with Sipho Gumede for their song Whisper.

Smith has toured extensively throughout South Africa and internationally, having performed in Malaysia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, New York, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

Smith is a member of The Jesus Collective, an evangelical music organisation that aims to uplift communities through gospel music. Through this partnership, Smith assists in mentoring up-and-coming musicians who are from previously disadvantaged areas by imparting his experience and wisdom from his many successful years in music as a performer and a songwriter.

Smith has recorded with local and international music industry greats such as Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whallum, Bebe Winans, and Neville D.

Ernie Smith is an astute businessman who served on the board of SAMPRA for a number of years, always ensuring he is up-to-date with the correct practices of the local music industry.

In 2022, Smith opened New Dimension Music, which serves the music community with a state-of-the-art music studio for hire in Amanzimtoti (KZN). The business also has a storefront that sells instruments, audio, and lighting gear, and adding to its offerings are lessons and short courses in various instruments and vocals. Smith is the president of Child Of The Light Records, whose vision is to cultivate and promote local talent, notably in the KZN region.

Ernie Smith is one of six siblings and the proud father of three beautiful daughters: Israela, Zoe, and Azania.