Carson Smith RIP

[Lee M. Cohen]

[This is posted from the JWC Listserv]

This morning my brother Carson passed away. He was my first and greatest
musical influence. Sometimes when you listen to the music of your youth
it doesn't stand up. Some of my early heroes don't sound as good in the
light of 40 years of musical study. However Carson's bass playing stands
up. The time and choice of notes (so clear) are still as exciting and
solid as they seemed 45 years ago. And they will be sounding good 200
years from now. He was a giant among bass players. he was very proud of
having brought "My Funny Valentine" to that early date with Gerry
Muligan and Chet Baker. It was a tune that had sat on our piano at home
in Bell, California, right out of the Rodgers and Hart book that no-one
had done. Carson had the arrangement worked out, they recorded it and
that was pretty much the springboard for Chet's fame. Muligan talked
about and acknowledged Carson's contribution in an interview he did with
an English writer a few years ago. Carson's recordings include the
original Chet Baker quartets and strings, the Gerry Muligan Quartet
(with Chet), Chico Hamilton's original quintet, Clifford Brown (with
Jack Montrose's extraordinary counterpoint writing), Charlie Parker, and
Billie Holiday. He was very proud of an album he did with Harpo marx. I
would love to have a copy of that one!! He developed his soloing ability
in his 30's and was a truly great soloist. Most of his solos on record
in the 50's are walking bass (which I love a lot). Dizzy heard him one
day in the 80's, sat down and listened for a whole set and said, "I
haven't heard a bass player like that since Oscar Pettiford died".He is
in peace now. Thanks Carson for a life dedicated to only jazz music. So
difficult to be an artist in America.
Best to all- Putter Smith

[Haizen Paige]

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