Ian J. Smith (a.k.a. i.j. smith) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer-songwriter from San Francisco, California.

Starting on guitar at the age of nine, Smith's musical development evolved amidst the wide variety of cultures and styles that are the essence of San Francisco's cultural diversity. His most formative influences include: Jimi Hendrix, Ludwig van Beethoven, John Coltrane, Pink Floyd, Erik B. and Rakim, and more recent artists such as D.J. Shadow, OZOMATLI, and P.J. Harvey.

Smith's musical career spans from performances at the Haight and Grant Street Fairs at age eleven to earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1996. His involvement with the San Francisco band Foodstamp, featuring Gannon Hall and Arthur Liboon (the rhythm section from Mordred) provided an environment for some of the beginning stages of his song writing skills. Performing on the '97 HORDE tour, Foostamp released an enhanced CD on local label function 8 and appeared on the "Go Big" compilation of local bands - 311, Sublime, Les Claypool's Sausage, MIRV - put out by Om Records.

In 1999, SMITH founded Monadic Records, built a recording studio, and concentrated on making his debut solo disc.

Released in early 2002, Troubled captures urban samples and breakbeats layered with traditional live instrumentation and R&B bass lines. A variety of classic keyboard sounds along with rich acoustic nylon string, 12 string, and electric guitars embellish Smith's dark, politically sarcastic (and often personal) lyrical thematic material.

Troubled has been performed live at venues such as Cafe Du Nord, Bottom of the Hill, Club Galia, Last Day Saloon, New Georges, and Tongue and Groove with Smith's supporting band featuring: Matt Vander Ende on Drums, Allison Lovejoy on Keys, Daniel Soto on Bass, and Smith on Guitar and Vocals.

Trickles and Floods, Released in mid 2005 features many guest musicians such as Ben Barnes (Deadweight) Sam Bass (Deadweight), Micah Epps, Daniel Soto, Jason Schwartz(Boxcar Saints) and featuring Allison Lovejoy on "Let it Me" ...a quote from Emory Elkins (Splendid) "Trickles and Floods has a "California poetique" feel -- it's elegant and nasty and spacy-vibed, all in one funky package. From jazz to rock to flamenco to soul, I.J. Smith's eclectic sensibilities are far-reaching, pushing the boundaries between artistic schools of thought.

Most recently i.j. smith can be found performing in and around the San Francisco Bay Area playing Jazz Standards with the Hermann Hayte Quartet, as well as composing various thematic music for mulit-media and picture.