Scott Smallwood was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up at 10,000 feet in elevation in the Colorado Rockies. At the age of 10, his father gave him a cassette tape recorder, and ever since he has been fascinated by the possibilities of recorded sound. He creates works inspired by discovered textures and forms, through a practice of listening, field recording, and improvisation. In addition to composing works for ensembles and electronics, he designs experimental instruments and software, as well as sound installations and audio games, often for site-specific scenarios. Much of his recent work is often concerned with the soundscapes of climate change, and the dichotomy between ecstatic and luxuriating states of noise and the precious commodity of natural acoustical environments and quiet spaces.

As a performing artist, Smallwood has performed as a percussionist, steel pannist, pianist, and electronic musician on laptops, synthesizers, noise generators, and handmade electronic instruments. He is one half of the duo Evidence (with Stephan Moore), and has performed and collaborated with many other artists and musicians, including Mark Dresser, Yanira Castro, Matmos, The Jen Mesch Dance Conspiracy, Pauline Oliveros, Curtis Bahn, Seth Cluett, Gary James Joynes, Sydney Lancaster, Cindy Baker, Marilene Oliver, Sean Caulfield, and many others. As a composer, he has written works for individuals and ensembles, including works for Continuum Ensemble of Toronto, the Nash Ensemble of London, the New York Virtuoso Singers, David Schotzko, Roger Admiral, and many others.

His work has been presented worldwide, including Issue Project Room, The Stone, and other venues in NYC, the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, Nevada, the The Hong Kong Arts Centre, and the Seedspace Gallery in Nashville. His work has been released on Autumn Records, Deep Listening, Wowcool, Simple Logic, Static Caravan, and others.

From 1997 until 2003, he worked as a studio engineer, faculty member, and technical director in the intgrated electronic arts (iEAR) program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, one of the first programs of its kind in North America. He holds music degrees from Seattle Pacific University, Miami University, Peabody Conservatory, and Princeton University, where he also held postdoctoral research associate position, working with the legendary Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk). He currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he is a Professor of music composition and sonic arts at the University of Alberta. He also currently directs the Sound Studies Institute.