Ethel Smith (organist)

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Ethel Smith (real name Ethel Goldsmith ; born November 22, 1902 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , † May 10, 1996 in Palm Beach , Florida ) was an American organist .

Life

After graduating from the Carnegie Institute of Technology , where she studied piano and the languages ​​German, Spanish and French, she accepted a position as organist in California. After a long stay in Argentina, she returned to the United States during the Second World War. In 1944 she published the title Tico-Tico , which rose to number 14 on the Billboard Charts and is now one of the most successful instrumental titles in the field of Hammond organ music. This piece has sold over a million times. In the same year she got her first film role as a music teacher in the revue film Badende Venus . Other roles, in which she mostly played herself and inspired the protagonists with her virtuoso Hammond organ music, were Twiced Blessed (1945), A Trap for the Bride (1946) and Music, Dance and Rhythm (1948). From 1945 to 1947 she was married to the actor Ralph Bellamy .

Discography (selection)

Shellac records

  • Tico Tico, Decca 23353
  • Mambo Jambo, Decca 27119
  • Monkey On A String, Decca 27183

LPs

  • Ethel Smith's Cha Cha Cha Album, Decca DL 8164
  • Christmas Music, Decca DL 8187
  • Galloping Fingers, Decca DL 8456
  • Latin From Manhattan, Decca DL 8457
  • Miss Smith Goes To Paris, Decca DL 8640
  • Dance To The Latin Rhythm's Of Ethel Smith, Decca DL 8712
  • Waltz With Me, Decca DL 8735
  • Lady Fingers, Decca DL 8744
  • Bright And Breezy, Decca DL 8799
  • Seated One Day At The Organ, Decca DL 78902
  • Bouquet Of The Blues, Decca DL 78955
  • Ethel Smith On Broadway, Decca DL 78993
  • Ethel Smith Swings Sweetly, Decca DL 74095
  • The Many Moods Of Ethel Smith, Decca DL 74145
  • Make Mine Hawaiian, Decca DL 74236
  • Lady Of Spain, Decca DL 74325
  • Rhythm Antics !, Decca DL 74414
  • At The End Of A Perfect Day, Decca DL 74467
  • Hollywood Favorites, Decca DL 74618
  • Ethel Smith's Hit Party, Decca DL 74803
  • Ethel Smith, Vocalion VL 3669
  • Organ Holiday, Vocalion VL 73778
  • Silent Night - Holy Night, Vocalion VL 73882
  • Parade, MCA Coral CB 20021

CDs

  • Tico Tico, Living Era AJA-5506 (2004). A compilation of early recordings from 1944-1952
  • The Fabulous Organ Music of Ethel Smith, MCA MSD-35255 (out of print since December 2005)
  • The First Lady of the Hammond Organ: Plays "Tico Tico" & Other Great Recordings, Jasmine Music (2003). A double CD with early recordings.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Smith, Ethel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Goldsmith, Ethel (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American organist
DATE OF BIRTH November 22, 1902
PLACE OF BIRTH Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH May 10, 1996
Place of death Palm Beach , Florida