Born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, poet/singer/songwriter Patti Smith moved to New York City and gained recognition as one of the first visionary artists of the 1970’s - known for the mergence of poetry and rock. Smith first broke into the NYC punk rock scene in 1975 with the release of her debut album, Horses. Her most enduring hits include “Because the Night,” “Gloria,” “Free Money,” and “People Have the Power.”

Smith’s highly-anticipated album, Banga, marks Smith’s first collection of original material since 2004, when she made her Columbia Records debut with the critically-acclaimed Trampin’. Banga was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and produced by Patti Smith and Her Band: Tony Shanahan, Jay Dee Daugherty, and her long-time collaborator Lenny Kaye. Featured guests include Tom Verlaine, Jack Petruzzelli, Smith’s son Jackson, and daughter Jesse Paris.

Patti Smith has received widespread recognition for her 2010 book, Just Kids, the story of her deep friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe and their effect on each other as burgeoning artists. Just Kids earned Smith the 2010 National Book Award for nonfiction.