Paul Smith (pianist)
Encyclopedia
Paul Smith is a jazz pianist
. He has performed in various genres of jazz, most typically bebop
. However, he has 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 has 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 has authored a number of educational books and CDs, most of which focus on explaining his particular approach to jazz piano. He has been married for more than 50 years to singer and pianist Annette Warren, with whom he often appears and records.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. He has performed in various genres of jazz, most typically bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
. However, he has also performed in cool jazz
Cool jazz
Cool is a style of modern jazz music that arose following the Second World War. It is characterized by its relaxed tempos and lighter tone, in contrast to the bebop style that preceded it...
, swing music, and traditional pop.
He was born in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After playing early on with Johnny Richards in 1941 and spending a couple of years in the military, he worked with Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
(1946–1947) and Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
(1947–1949) before moving to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and becoming a studio musician.
Smith has recorded frequently both with his trios and as a soloist. In addition he is featured on work of artists such as Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
, Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day was an American jazz singer.Born Anita Belle Colton, O'Day was admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer"...
, Buddy DeFranco
Buddy DeFranco
Boniface Ferdinand Leonard "Buddy" DeFranco is an American jazz clarinet player.-Biography:DeFranco began his professional career just as swing music and big bands — many of which were led by clarinetists like Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Woody Herman — were fading in popularity...
, Louie Bellson
Louie Bellson
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer...
, Steve Allen
Steve Allen
Steve Allen may refer to:*Steve Allen , American musician, comedian, and writer*Steve Allen , presenter on the London-based talk radio station LBC 97.3...
, Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
, Mel Tormé
Mel Tormé
Melvin Howard Tormé , nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, known for his jazz singing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, a drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books...
and others.
Between 1956 and 1978, Smith was active as a conductor and pianist for Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
.
Smith has authored a number of educational books and CDs, most of which focus on explaining his particular approach to jazz piano. He has been married for more than 50 years to singer and pianist Annette Warren, with whom he often appears and records.
External links
- [ Discography of works published under Paul Smith's own name on Allmusic.com]
- [ Paul Smith Biography on Allmusic.com]
- Youtube movie of the Paul Smith trio with Ella Fitzgerald in which Smith plays a solo (broken link)
- Paul Smith on Mel Bay Publications
- Paul Smith on Outstanding Record Label