Jimmy has been playing guitar since he was seven years old. He initially played with his Father’s dance bands, but his growing interest in rock and blues led him to form his own band at school. The first Jimmy Smyth band was formed when he was in his early teens, and opened for Thin Lizzy,Brinsley Schwarz, Bees Make Honey, Horslips,Frankie Millar to name a few. All while still at school!

This was when Jimmy first met an early Hero, Philip Lynott, who, some years later asked Jimmy to join Thin Lizzy as a replacement for Brian Robertson. Jimmy, while flattered, declined as the “Bogey Boys” debut album was just about to be released.

He was a guitarist/singer with The Bogey Boys from 1979 to 1983 and recorded several singles and two albums. He featured heavily in ‘Best Guitarist’ polls on Hot Press Magazine around this time, alongside guitarists like the Edge and Rory Gallagher. Later, he produced albums for The Spirit of Eden, Bonnie Tyler, Toni Childs, Rob Strong, Don Baker , Frances Black and Ken Haddock, and composed music for the movies When the Sky Falls (2000) and Silent Grace (2002) and for the Fellowship of The Ring (2003) videogame. He has also recorded/played with Roger Daltrey, Curtis Stigers, Chaka Khan, Lisa Stansfield, Van Morrison and Reba McEntire.
Jimmy was the Musical Director for RTE’s award winning ‘You’re A Star’ TV show, and regularly performs with the RTE Concert Orchestra, the RTESO, The Ulster Orchestra and many others.

Jimmy is very much in demand for touring/recording and, when not on the road can regularly be seen playing rock and roots or Jazz Rock with his Fusion band ‘Spectrum’.

Jimmy will host a master class at this years festival on Sunday (17th) at 12:00. Book your place at Jimmy’s master class here MASTER CLASS BOOKING FORM