Paul Smith (pianist)
Paul Thatcher Smith (born April 17, 1922 in San Diego , California - † June 29, 2013 in Torrance ) was an American jazz pianist .
life and work
After working with Johnny Richards for the first time in 1941, Smith served in the military for a few years. He then worked with Les Paul (1946/47), The Andrews Sisters and Tommy Dorsey (1947-49) before moving to Los Angeles and becoming a studio musician; he also performed with his own trio. Smith played with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie , Anita O'Day , Buddy DeFranco , Louie Bellson , Steve Allen , Stan Kenton , Mel Tormé and others. Between 1956 and 1978 Smith was also active as a conductor and pianist for Ella Fitzgerald , with whom he went on a European tour in 1960.
Smith was also the author of several textbooks and CDs, mostly focusing on Smith's personal approach to jazz piano playing. He was known for his technique and his lyrical playing and played on his numerous albums under his own name, which he recorded for labels such as Columbia, Capitol, EMI and Warner, in various genres such as bebop , cool jazz , swing and even pop.
Discographic notes
- Cool and Sparkling (EMI, 1956) with Abe Most
- He Sells Jazz by the Sea Shore (Warner, 65) with Wilfred Middlebrooks , Frank Capp
- Alpha Touch (Outstanding, 1977)
- The Master Touch (Outstanding, 1977)
- Art Tatum Touch, Vol. 1 (Outstanding, 1977)
- Benny Goodman plays Gershwin (CBS) I got Rhythm (Benny Goodman with strings)
Web links
- Paul Smith at Allmusic (English)
- Paul Smith at Mel Bay Publications
- Paul Smith at Discogs (English)
Lexical entry
- John Jörgensen, Erik Wiedemann Jazz Lexicon . Mosaic, Munich, 1967
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Smith, Paul |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Smith, Paul Thatcher (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz pianist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 17, 1922 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | San Diego , California |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 29, 2013 |
| Place of death | Torrance |