A LEADING Scottish jazz musician has been dismissed from his senior role at an esteemed music school.
Tommy Smith, saxophonist, was dropped from his position at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) on Wednesday following allegations of a relationship between him and a female student.
Smith had held the Head of Jazz position at the prestigious Glasgow music school since 2009.
BBC reported that the Conservatoire had confirmed the dismissal "following a disciplinary investigation and hearing".
A spokesperson also added: "RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff."
Edinburgh-born Smith has had a successful music career since the early 1980s, and was appointed as the head of the first full-time jazz course at RCS 16 years ago.
He was raised in the Wester Hailes area and recorded his first solo album at the age of 16.
Smith then went on to win a scholarship to study in the United States, where he signed his first record deal.
He has worked with a number of notable jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth.
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra was founded by the now-sacked RCS tutor, who also established the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Queen Elizabeth awarded Smith with an OBE in 2019 for his services to jazz music, and he currently holds honorary doctorate degrees from both Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.
RCS was founded in 1841 and is a world-leader in performing arts education, frequently featured in the top ten QS World University Rankings.
Notable alumni include Ncuti Gatwa, David Tennant, Alan Cumming and James McAvoy.
