Steve Smith, the longtime drummer known for both his work with Journey and his decades of jazz fusion leadership, has brought Vital Information back into the spotlight with a new album and plans for a 2025 East Coast tour. The band’s latest release, Time Flies, came out on May 29, 2024, and introduces a fresh direction for the group, both in terms of lineup and musical approach.

This time around, the band is now a trio. Joining Smith are pianist Manuel Valera, who brings both acoustic and electric textures to the table, is bassist Janek Gwizdala, known for his melodic style and versatility. Together, the three have crafted an album that leans into deep musical interaction, drawing from jazz fusion roots while reaching into funk, Latin rhythms, and classic swing.

The album contains nine original pieces along with a thoughtful reimagining of “On Green Dolphin Street,” a standard often tackled but here given new life. Smith explained that the idea for the record took shape after a short West Coast tour in 2023. He said the chemistry between the three players onstage was undeniable and that the decision to record came naturally from those early shows.

Sessions for Time Flies were held in New York City at GB’s Juke Joint, with final mixing done in Nashville. Smith described the process as fluid, noting that the trio’s shared sense of timing and trust made it possible to stretch out musically while staying grounded in groove and form.

To support the album, Vital Information will embark on a nine-date East Coast tour beginning June 20, 2025. The opening night is scheduled for Old Saybrook, Connecticut. From there, the trio will head to several cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, before wrapping up in Rockport, Massachusetts, on June 29.

Audiences can expect a mix of new material and updated versions of tracks from the group’s earlier catalog. While the music itself continues to evolve, the focus of Steve Smith remains the same: to keep pushing the boundaries of jazz-based music while staying true to the rhythmic roots that have defined his work for decades.

Vital Information has never been about staying in one lane, and Time Flies doesn’t aim to start now.