Carson Smith (musician)

Carson Raymond Smith (January 9, 1931, San Francisco – November 2, 1997, Las Vegas) was an American jazz double-bassist.[1] Carson is the older brother of jazz musician and composer Putter Smith.[1]

Carson Smith
Background information
Birth nameCarson Raymond Smith
Born(1931-01-09)January 9, 1931
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 2, 1997(1997-11-02) (aged 66)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Double bass
Years active1952–unknown

Smith's early work was in West Coast jazz, playing with Gerry Mulligan (1952–53), Chet Baker (1953–55), Russ Freeman (1955–56), and Chico Hamilton (1955–57).[1] Smith also recorded with Clifford Brown (1954), Dick Twardzik (1954), and Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall (1956).[2] In 1959, he toured with Stan Kenton, then recorded with Charlie Barnet in 1960.[2] In 1962, he moved to Los Angeles, playing with Charlie Teagarden (1962) and Lionel Hampton (1963).[1] He toured Japan with Georgie Auld in 1964.[2] Later in the 1960s, he played with Buddy Rich, Arno Marsh, and Carl Fontana.[2] He held a longtime residency at the Four Queens Hotel in Las Vegas, where he accompanied visiting musicians such as Art Farmer, Lew Tabackin, Zoot Sims, and Chet Baker.[1]

He died of cancer in Las Vegas at the age of 66.[3]

Discography edit

As sideman edit

With Chet Baker

With Chico Hamilton

With others

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 405. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Kernfeld, Barry (2003). "Smith, Carson (Raymond)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J415000. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  3. ^ "Jazz bassist Smith dies at 66 - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". 5 November 1997.