Jazz professor Tommy Smith dismissed from role at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Leading Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith has been sacked as a professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Following a disciplinary investigation and hearing by the Glasgow institute, the 58-year-old – who has been a star of jazz since his teens and founded the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – was dismissed.

Mr Smith had held the position of head of jazz at the music school for the last 16 years.

The Daily Mail reported that the dismissal is related to allegations of a relationship with a female student who was over the age of 18.

It was claimed that Mr Smith was told to stay away from classes at RCS after the allegations came to light.

Smith was brought up in the Wester Hailes housing scheme in Edinburgh, was awarded an OBE in 2019, and holds honorary doctorates from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.

A spokesperson for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said: “Following a disciplinary investigation and hearing, Tommy Smith has been dismissed.

“RCS has robust policies in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.”

Founded in 1847, Scotland’s national conservatoire is a global leader in performing arts education, consistently ranked in the top ten of the QS World University Rankings.