Donald Smith, consummate pianist, dies at 78

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Donald Smith, the underrated musical genius, who was adept in playing everything from straight-ahead jazz with Dizzy Gillespie and Jackie McLean to avant-garde out sounds with Archie Shepp, died on April 9, at a nursing home in Riverdale, New York. He was 78.

His death was confirmed by his daughter Yaisa Smith; a cause was not given.

During Smith’s five-decade career, he rarely recorded as a leader, his most memorable album “Luv,” with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Jack DeJohnette for the Whynot label, is one of the few under his name. While not an industrious leader, he was a much sought after pianist until his health began to deteriorate and suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Early in his career upon arriving in New York from his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, he landed a weekly gig in Harlem at Showman’s Café with saxophonist Bill Saxton and drummer Greg Bandy. The three became lifelong friends. Saxton and Smith played in each other’s bands and together in other bands sometimes with Bandy. Smith developed a cult following at Showman’s Café while there he exhibited his incredible singing ability and played his second instrument, the flute.

“Donald had a great voice, no one could sing like him,” said Saxton. “As much as we did together, I wish we had done more.”

Smith went on to play with Art Blakey, who later commented on his great musicianship as a pianist. He was a first call pianist for such musicians as Pharoah Sanders, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Benny Carter, Andrew Cyrille, Carter, the Thad Jones – Mel Lewis Big Band and vocalists Leon Thomas, Gloria Lynne, Tuliva-Donna Cumberbatch, Fontella Bass and Mansur Scott. He can also be heard on recordings by Lester Bowie (“The Great Pretender,” 1981), Oliver Lake (“Prophet,” 1980) and Craig Harris (“Black Bone,” 1983). Smith stated during an interview with this writer, “I never categorize the music, I just love playing it all and as long as the cats call me, I will play.” Smith was one of the few musicians who played primarily straight-ahead jazz but was constantly called upon to play in the avant-garde arena.

Like Nat King Cole, Smith was a great singer and outstanding pianist that shadowed his mesmerizing voice. In Cole’s case his singing overshadowed his great piano playing. Smith’s voice was so intoxicating that waiters and waitresses in various clubs often stopped working to hear him sing. A close friend of Smith’s noted, “When I entertained ladies at home, I would never play Donald’s song ‘Starlight & You’ because once I played it they would want to hear it over and over again, his voice was that beautiful.” He added, “God’s choir just got better.”

Donald Smith was born on Sept. 4, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia. He was the youngest of three boys. His father Lonnie Liston Smith Sr. was a member of the famous gospel group the Harmonizing Four. As a youngster Donald recalled gospel groups like the Swan Silvertones and the Soul Stirrer with a young Sam Cooke, and many other musicians always visiting. His older brother is the funk/jazz keyboardist and composer Lonnie Liston Smith, and brother Ray sang doowop and R&B music. Smith was a piano prodigy under the tutelage of Ondine Moore. After graduating from Armstrong High School, he departed Richmond to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he was enrolled in the music program along with Dee Dee Bridgewater, who was the female vocalist. While attending the college, he and George Duke tied for piano honors at a college jam session.

Early on he played organ and flute with the Tony Zamora Territorial Band. A versatile and adventurous performer, Smith worked with a wide variety of performers as a pianist, singer and/or flutist. Smith joined his brother’s Cosmic Echoes group as a vocalist and flautist intermittently from 1975 through the late 1990s. During his time with the group, he and Lonnie recorded some now notable jazz standards. In the late 1990s and into 2000, he played weekly at St. Nick’s Pub leading a trio (for 4-5 years) when it was at its peak. “I had the pleasure of working with Donald at St. Nick’s Pub, he was a great person, pianist, vocalist and a great person, I loved and respected him,” said producer/promoter Berta Alloway. During 2000, Smith was a fixture in Harlem (his adopted home), where he played small clubs as a leader and as a welcomed addition to other band leaders.

He recorded two albums with the trombonist and composer Dick Griffin: on “Homage to Sun Ra” (2014), he played piano; on “Now Is the Time,” he played flute and sang, and the album has been re-released on Griffin’s independent label, Ruby Records. “He had a natural love for the music and was an excellent musician and friend,” said Griffin.

Smith is survived by his daughter Yaisa Smith, son Tecumseh Smith; and his brothers Ray and Lonnie Liston Smith.

A service will be held in Harlem at Benta’s Funeral Home at a date to be announced.