Timothy Jude Smith, known professionally as Timmy Trumpet, became the first trumpet player to perform in zero gravity during a 2019 project partnership between the European Space Agency and BigCityBeats. Born in Sydney in 1982, the Australian musician combined his formal classical training with dance music production to bridge the gap between orchestral performance and electronic festival circuits.
Early Musical Foundations
Smith began playing the trumpet at age four under his father's instruction. During his secondary education at Carlingford High School, he served as school captain and was named Young Musician of the Year at age thirteen. These accomplishments earned him a scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music, where he studied under Anthony Heinrichs of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and eventually became the lead solo trumpet player for the Australian All-Star Stage Band.
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Smith adopted the Timmy Trumpet persona to perform alongside the Stafford Brothers at Australian venues. He taught himself DJ techniques, integrating live trumpet solos into dance sets. His early output included club hits like 'Sassafras' and 'The Buzz', the latter of which reached number one on Beatport and the ARIA Club Chart. By 2014, he expanded his reach internationally, touring North America with Will Sparks and Joel Fletcher.
Global Commercial Success
The 2014 release of 'Freaks', a collaboration with New Zealand rapper Savage, provided a significant breakthrough. The single achieved multi-platinum status in Australia and New Zealand, eventually garnering over 500 million online streams. Following this success, Smith worked with producers such as Carnage and KSHMR on the track 'Toca'. By 2016, his focus shifted to the European market with releases on Spinnin' Records, including 'Psy or Die' and 'Oracle', the latter securing a top spot on Beatport.
Festival Circuits and Specialized Performances
By 2017, Smith secured a main stage position at Tomorrowland in Belgium, and his set became the most streamed performance on the event's official YouTube channel. He maintained a consistent touring schedule across international festivals, including Parookaville, Electric Love, and Creamfields. In 2018, he played a headline show in Belfast, selling 15,000 tickets. His 2019 world tour encompassed 60 dates and 31 festival headlining slots across four continents.
Fast facts
- Born: 9 June 1982, Sydney
- Education: Carlingford High School
- Primary Instrument: Trumpet
- Breakthrough Single: 'Freaks' (2014)
- 2025 DJ Mag Rank: 6
- Citizenship: Australia
Questions readers ask
Did Timmy Trumpet really play in zero gravity?
Yes, on 25 March 2019, he performed during the BigCityBeats 'Zero Gravity 2.0' flight on a converted European Space Agency aircraft.
How many times was the single 'Freaks' certified platinum in Australia?
The single was certified six times platinum by ARIA.
Achievements
- Instruments: trumpet and digital audio workstation
- Genres: electro house, house music and psychedelic trance
