LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Alex Smith upon the occasion of his
impressive musical performance at Super Bowl 50

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging its
esteemed residents who have distinguished themselves in their profession
and in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Alex Smith, of Peekskill, New York, gained national recogni-
tion as he accompanied renowned vocalist Lady Gaga as she performed the
National Anthem at Super Bowl 50, played on February 7, 2016, at Levi's
Stadium in California; and
WHEREAS, Alex Smith attended Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
and earned a master's degree in jazz from SUNY Purchase; and
WHEREAS, Alex Smith is a music teacher at Soundview Preparatory School
in Yorktown Heights and offers private lessons throughout Westchester
and at his New Canaan, Connecticut piano studio; and
WHEREAS, Alex Smith also performs with Brian Newman, with whom he
attended the Conservatory of Music, at Gramercy Park Hotel and at the
Roxy Hotel in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, It was through the Brian Newman quintet that Alex Smith first
performed with Lady Gaga several years ago, on the 2011 ABC special "A
Very Gaga Thanksgiving;" and
WHEREAS, The quintet then played on the Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett duet
album "Cheek to Cheek" and toured North America and Europe with the duo
this past summer; and
WHEREAS, Alex Smith learned he would be accompanying Lady Gaga for her
Super Bowl 50 performance just a few weeks before the big event; he
practiced the song blind-folded, at double-speed, and in any variation
he could think of, estimating that he practiced it several hundred times
in the week before; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 112 million people watched the performance, which was
extremely well-received; Alex Smith and Lady Gaga shared a jubilant
embrace following the song, which was widely viewed after Lady Gaga
posted it on social media; and
WHEREAS, Alex Smith has inspired his students and fellow musicians
with his extraordinary talent and impressive success; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Alex Smith upon the occasion of his impressive musical performance
at Super Bowl 50; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Alex Smith.