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Paul Smith

Paul Smith (April 17, 1922 - June 29, 2013) was an American jazz pianist. He has performed in various genres of jazz, most typically bebop. However, he also performed in cool jazz, swing music, and traditional pop.

He was born in San Diego, California. After playing early on with Johnny Richards in 1941 and spending a couple of years in the military, he worked with Les Paul (1946–1947) and Tommy Dorsey (1947–1949) before moving to Los Angeles and becoming a studio musician.

Smith recorded frequently both with his trios and as a soloist. In addition he is featured on work of 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 active as a conductor and pianist for Ella Fitzgerald.

Smith authored a number of educational books and CDs, most of which focus on explaining his particular approach to jazz piano. He was married for more than 50 years to singer and pianist Annette Warren, with whom he often appeared and recorded.


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Video / DVD

Paul Smith: Swinging Elegance

Paul Smith: Swinging Elegance

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

In the late 1940s and 1950s, few pianists moved as effortlessly and deftly between jazz and pop as pianist Paul Smith. Instrumental pop, as a genre, came into its own after 1948, with the advent of the 10-inch LP. Pop back then still had plenty of swing but was really jazz-light—easy-going music that had a bit of a kick but didn't venture too far off a familiar song's melody.  Pop as a lucrative record-company division emerged then when record buyers ...

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Music Industry

10 Jazz Piano Tracks

10 Jazz Piano Tracks

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers


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Recording

Paul Smith Discography (as a leader)

Paul Smith Discography (as a leader)

Source: Michael Ricci

By Derrick Bang I've long been a fan of pianist Paul Smith, whose fiery keyboard technique absolutely dazzled me as a teen. I was lucky; I grew up in and around Palos Verdes, in Southern California, where Smith made his home and frequently performed, in clubs and restaurants within a fairly tight radius. I didn't catch up to him until the early 1970s, and therefore never saw him at The Hunting Horn (where he recorded one album, as you'll note ...

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Obituary

Paul Smith (1922-2013)

Paul Smith (1922-2013)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

In the late 1940s and 1950s, few pianists moved as effortlessly and deftly between jazz and pop as pianist Paul Smith—who died June 29 at age 91. Instrumental pop, as a genre, came into its own after 1948, with the advent of the 10-inch LP. Pop back then still had plenty of swing but was really jazz-light—easy-going music that had a bit of kick but didn't venture too far off a familiar song's melody.  One could argue that many of ...

1

Obituary

Paul Smith, 1922-3013

Paul Smith, 1922-3013

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey

Another pianist, primarily noted for his impeccable accompaniment of singers but who was also a soloist of wide ranging abilities, died today. Paul Smith was 91. He was probably best known for his work with Ella Fitzgerald. He also played for Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan and Doris Day, among others. Early in his career, he worked with Ozzie Nelson, Les Paul and Tommy Dorsey. For a quarter of a century, he was the music director for Steve Allen’s television program. ...

Performance / Tour

Martha Lorin And Paul Smith Reunite At Sterling's Upstairs At The Federal

Martha Lorin And Paul Smith Reunite At Sterling's Upstairs At The Federal

Source: Lampkin Publicity Service

Distinguished vocalist, recording artist and interpreter of the Great American Songbook Martha Lorin will appear at Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal Sunday May 26 accompanied by legendary musical director Paul Smith for an evening of lush standards, it was announced today by producer Michael Sterling and co-producer Ralph Lampkin, Jr. of the Lampkin Music Group in Chicago. Heavily influenced by the late, great Ruth Etting, Martha Lorin has said that jazz is the only music field that allows her to ...

Lyn Stanley
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