The D. Smith Blues Band, winners of the Connecticut Blues Society's "Talent Search 1998," formed in November of 1989 as the D. Smith Blues Project. Finalists at the Connecticut Blues Challenge in 1997,  2001, 2002 and 2004,  these fixtures on the Connecticut blues scene made their first public appearance back in June of 1990 at Water Street Station in Torrington, and their first Hartford appearance at The Muni in October of that year.

With a harp and slide guitar dominant sound, The D. Smith Blues Band repertoire is heavily skewed to the Chicago-style sound of the fifties and sixties. They pay homage to the Chicago masters such as Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter by offering interpretations of their music that seeks to preserve it, not change or update it. In their live shows the band captures the spirit of the powerful and soulful sound that signified Chicago-style Blues of that era. Along with cover songs, the band has a number of original songs that blend in well with traditional blues numbers.

Their first recording effort, a self financed and produced cassette entitled Shake for Me, was released in July of 1994. It featured nine songs, all of which are in the Chicago Blues style, one is an original composition.

The D. Smith Blues Band has performed at various Connecticut and Massachusetts clubs and private functions over the past fourteen years. They have also appeared in several showcase events including headlining at The Sting in New Britain on Halloween in 1992. They have  played the historic Thomaston Opera House in Thomaston in 1993 and again in 1994. The band has supported national acts such as: Johnny Winter, Lonnie Mack, and Johnny Clyde Copeland. In April 1992 and March of 1993 they warmed up for Blues legend, the late Albert Collins at The Sting. After electrifying crowds of 800-1000 people, they received praise from Collins and his band for their performances.

In January 1999, the band released their first CD, Playing in the Dark. The 14-song effort is dominated by original material written primarily by lead vocalist Robert Orsi. The songs are representative of the sound that has made the band favorites throughout Connecticut. In addition to band originals, they also perform a couple of their favorite songs by artists such as Little Walter and Lowell Fulsom.

In March of 2000, the D. Smith Blues Band  made their first personnel change when original guitarist Joe Ethier left the band. Shawn Leonard took over on guitar and Drew Blood was added on harmonica. With Blood playing harp, Orsi took on slide guitar responsibilities along with lead vocals.  The addition of Blood and Leonard, long established players on the Connecticut blues scene, provided fans with many memorable shows.  In January of 2002, Shawn Leonard left the band and was replaced by former B. Willie Smith player  Steve Baldino.  Steve's idiosyncratic style thrilled audiences old and new alike throughout 2002 and 2003. 

In December of 2003 the band returned to their original lineup when Joe Ethier moved back to the Connecticut area and Orsi returned to harp duties.  With the original lineup, the band released their second CD, Monkey Time in June of 2004 .  The 11 song effort features 8 songs that were recorded live in the studio and three original numbers.  A follow up studio recording is planned.

In April of 2008 the band release their third CD - Life Is Good. The third CD is without a doubt the most ambitious effort to date. It features 15 songs in varying style of blues, rock, latin and R & B. Eleven of the songs were written by band members and two by friends of the band. It also features several friends in various musical capacities. Most prominent is Mike Cavadini on piano. In addition to Mike, former band member Steve Baldino plays guitar on the instrumental Riverside Jump. Others on the recording are Lisa Conti on percussion, Tim Allen on guitar and Joel Blumert on acoustic 10-string guitar. In addition, recording engineer Colin Tilton plays tenor sax on All I Want, a New Orleans style number penned by songwriter Roger C. Reale.