Bill Smith passed away on February 29 at the ripe old age of 93. One of that rare breed of jazz clarinetists who blew bebop as opposed to the New Orleans or swing era alternatives adhered to by most clarinet players of the time.
Smith first came to prominence with the Dave Brubeck Octet, a band that attempted to fuse jazz and classically structured music. It was an interesting conception that didn't quite come off when compared with the later works by Gil Evans, George Russell and John Lewis. Nevertheless, Smith's contribution as an instrumentalist couldn't be faulted and, over the years, he had sporadic reunions with Brubeck.
Away from jazz, as William O. Smith, he worked as a composer and orchestral clarinetist. His compositions included three concertos and the wonderfully titled Schizophrenic Scherzo.
In many ways he was a man ahead of his time and one who deserves to be fondly remembered as a wonderful musician.
Rest In Peace.
Lance.
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