Frank Smith

Frank Smith

(February 1, 1956 – Present)

Frank Smith, bassist and composer, was born and raised in Indianapolis under the influence of the vibrant jazz scene on Indiana Avenue. His mother Trili Smith, a classical pianist, taught piano students at home and had lots of classical and jazz recordings. After a few piano lessons and, later,some guitar lessons Frank took up bass at the age of fourteen and took lessons from Eugene Fowlkes, John Strickland and Dr. David Baker.

He began playing around town with Kenny Simms (piano) and Paul Hines (drums) in a group called The Groovin’ Three. With the addition of George Benn (vocalist), Jeff Smith (percussionist) and Lonnie Westfall (saxophonist) they became known as Merging Traffic and contributed to the new jazz/rock genre that was starting in the early to mid seventies. In High school he started gigging with some of the stars of the Indianapolis jazz scene including Jimmie Coe, Pookie Johnson, Russell Webster, Earmon Hubbard and Clifford Ratliff. Later while living in Harrisburg, PA and working with fellow Hoosier, Steve Rudolph, Smith had the opportunity to work with Johnny Coles, Eric Kloss, Bob Mintzer, Joe Lovano and Roger Rosenberg among others as part of a ‘house trio’ gig that lasted two years.

In the 1980s he played on cruise ships for several years and had the opportunity to gig with Dizzy Gillespie, Zoot Sims, Teddy Wilson, Michael LeGrande, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Clark Terry, Rita Moreno, Helen Reddy, Buddy Greco, Jerry Lewis and many others as part of the SS Norway big band. From 1986 to 1988 he was on the road with the Fifth Dimension and then 1988-1991 he lived in New York City working around town with many excellent musicians. Back on cruise ships from 1992- 98 he did a Smith has played regularly with local and visiting musicians and has made multiple appearances at the Indy Jazz Fest and with the American Pianists Association Jazz Fellowship Awards. In 2006, he and Steve Allee co-produced his first solo CD entitled Chasing Chances, which features Smith in front of an eight-member group. He has taught for the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops at the University of Louisville. ( 2001-06 )

Frank was honored to receive a creative renewal grant from the Arts Council of Indianapolis. During this time, he enjoyed collaborating with another Creative Renewal Fellow, Peter Hansen, bassist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Peter and Frank shared classical and jazz bass techniques and playing concepts and met up at the fringe festival in Edinburgh during Frank’s fellowship.  "The fellowship impacted my work through visits to Edinburgh, Paris, and Barcelona by renewing my creative spirit and opening the door for me to create new music. I am now currently working on new musical compositions that are a direct result of my fellowship."  Frank currently is working on riverboats on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers as well as gigs around town.