Tune in to Afternoon New Music this Tuesday, April 26th at 3 pm for an exclusive in-studio and set with drummer/composer Ches Smith. The 50-minute program will feature Smith playing a solo set in-studio at WKCR, as well as discussing his recent projects, including his new album The Bell.

Born in San Diego, CA and raised in Sacramento, Ches Smith came up in a scene of punks and metal musicians who were listening to and experimenting with jazz and free improvisation. He is co-founder of the groups Theory of Ruin and Good for Cows, and has performed with Xiu Xiu, Secret Chiefs 3, Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Ben Goldberg, Mary Halvorson, Wadada Leo Smith, Fred Frith, and Trevor Dunn, and many others. He also is bandleader in his group Ches Smith and These Arches, as well as his solo percussion project Congs for Brums.

Released last January, The Bell is Ches Smith’s first album as a leader for ECM. It features Ches Smith on drums, vibraphone and timpani, Craig Taborn on piano, and Mat Maneri on viola.