Hailing from the jazz and blues-influenced swamplands of southern Louisiana, New Orleans native Jake Smith delivers both spirit and soul on Real, his major label debut. Musically, the project offers soulful, groove-based pop that sounds reflective of the richness and eclecticism of New Orleans itself. Stylistically in the vein of such popular current artists as John Mayer, Mat Kearney, Jason Mraz and Ray LaMontagne, Smith possesses the musical chops to perform convincingly as a solo singer-songwriter, as the leader of a funky acoustic trio or in his favorite light, the frontman to a dynamic band of energetic Louisiana allies. But the strongest stimulus for Smith’s songs comes from life itself, the adversities he’s experienced and the faith that’s brought him hope in the midst of significant turmoil.