Don Smith passed away February 13, 2010 after an extended battle with cancer. Don was born July 15, 1934 in Los Angeles, California. To the younger trumpet players, the name Don Smith may not register, but to the veteran musicians, the name is spoken with great reverence for this was one of the greats who played with such big bands as Les Brown and Harry James, and backed celebrities such as Ann-Margret. He also performed with the Air Force “Airmen of Note” and the N.B.C. staff to name but a few.
I first met Don shortly after he moved to Branson to perform with the Les Brown Orchestra. Don’s history with the band dates back to the Les Brown Sr. days which means that Don has been playing “Leap Frog” (the orchestra’s theme song) for over 50 years, and even up to his final performance, Don made sure that frog was still leaping strong.
I recently visited with Betty Smith, Don’s wife of 49 years and enjoyed many stories and gained more insight into what she and Don had experienced in their lives together. Don was a dedicated husband and father of four providing for his family through what he did best and as Betty shared, “My husband got to do what he wanted to do his whole life and took care of his family”.
I asked Betty what Don’s first trumpet job was and she told me with her charming manner, “Don was ten years old and played bugle for the local Boy Scouts”. It reminded me of the beginning of another great trumpet player, Louis Armstrong who also began on a bugle. She laughed when she remembered when Don was performing in a Latin band. She was pregnant with their first child (Brian) and throughout the evening the “soon to be born” kept kicking to the beat of the band.
A good friend of mine who played with Don while performing in Branson shared that Don had performed in nearly every chair in the trumpet section of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band. Don was best known for his rock solid lead playing and from a section player’s point of view this is the best kind of lead player and Don was one of the best. When you played in Don’s section, you were never in doubt as to how it was to be played. He always played it the same way and he always played it right.
He also had a dry since of humor as I remember from a rehearsal we played together. We were in the middle of the rehearsal when suddenly he picked up his lead part and tossed it onto my stand. I looked at him puzzled and he shot back at me “here kid, it’ll be good for you”. That sounded strange for he and I were not that many years apart in age. But when you think of his achievements and mine, I guess I would be considered a kid, comparatively speaking.
Watch and listen as Don performs “Nutcracker Suite”
Don is gone but will never be forgotten in the world of music.
Thank you Bruce…. I feel honored that you thought an article on Don was warranted. I can’t think of a better accolade then to receive it from another musician.
Hope to see you both soon.
Fondly, Betty
It was wonderful playing with him on Les’s band and it has been a great pleasure knowing you.
Hi Betty , BRENDAN BROWN , I was just thinking of Don today remembering the house in Hemet , BRIAN and I eatting lunch after a workout and him cursing around the house , then he’d walk out to his music room and blast little blurps from his trumpet .
Don was a classmate at Washington High School in Los Angeles and a very gifted musician. He indeed had a wry sense of humor. I stumbled accross him in Portland, Oregon years later, recognizing him playing at a benefit with Les Brown. Les arranged for us to chat at a break and Don and I briefly reviewed our history and then got to our high school band experiences. He inquired if I had continued playing trombone and I replied I had dropped it after graduation. Don quietly commented “thank God”. My wife is still laughing.
Thanks for your article.
Thank you for your story. I laughed for a long time after I read it. I will also send your comments along to his wife for I know she will also enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping in and have a great year.
BC
Hi Bruce,
Thank you for the Awesome words regarding my Father! He was an INCREDIBLE Man and Father….and I Miss him EVERYDAY!
Sincerely
Brian
That he was and we all miss him. By the way, I was visiting with Betty this morning and she mentioned your name. I hope we can some day cross paths again. I’m sure you were at the club house for his memorial reception and I’m also sure we visited.
It was an honor to sit in the section with him and each time, I learned more about trumpet playing than with all of my trumpet lessons combined. Learning from watching a pro like you father is something that can not be taught in a traditional lesson.
Thank you for visiting our site and I wish you and yours the very best.
Thank You for the nice reply Bruce! I too would like our paths to cross sometime! My family and I live in the Seattle area, if you ever make it this way, would love to connect!
Sincerely
Brian Andrew Smith
Thanks for the posting. I worked with Don since the early 1980’s and he was everything that you said. He has a wonderful family and quite a legacy to the music world. I still miss hearing him play and laughing at his quips.
John Raczka
Good morning John and thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments about Don (Smith). I am very thankful to have worked a few gigs with him but more importantly, I am thankful for having spent some quality time with him discussing his background and meeting, and still visiting, with Betty.
Don was a legend and a wonderful person to be around.
Best to you and yours.
Dear Bruce,
I was elated to see you had remembered. Friday, 2-13-15 will mark five years. He is remembered everyday with love and smiles.
I have forwarded your link onto my children who will be most appreciative.
Love, Betty
We all miss him and Dennis says hello from your church.
I learned so much about music from Him for a brief time on Princess cruise line (the Island Princess) in 1995. I was his roommate.(bass player) He had a great sense of humor I have thought of him over the Years! I was the guy who had the nervous breakdown on board and had to be flown off I was diagnosed as bipolar! I always wished I could have stayed! He was the one who came to My embarrassing rescue! I am so sadden to hear of His passing! He was truly someone special and musical whizz! I now know that He was part of My musical success Here in New Orleans Chris
Everyone who knew him learned much.
Thanks for sharing you contact with Don.