Frank Smith (33)

Jazz pianist from Kansas City. Played guitar with a high school band and studied theory and composition. At age 17, Smith began his study of piano. Although Clyde Washington mentored Smith, Frank was largely self-taught. Following high school Frank Smith acquired his first job at the venue El Capitan and went on to form the Frank Smith Trio shortly thereafter. The Frank Smith Trio played in prominent Kansas City jazz venues such as the Playboy Club, The Alameda, The Mardi Gras, The Hyatt Regency, and City Light. Throughout his career Smith worked with artists such as Anita O’Day, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis, and Clark Terry. He also wrote several jingles for Kansas City commercials. Furthermore, he toured in Tokyo, Japan on several occasions. b. Feb. 22, 1932 d. Nov. 17, 1999