Paul J. Smith(1906-1985)
- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Paul J. Smith was the son of Joseph J. and Anna M. Smith of Caldwell, Idaho. Joseph J. Smith was the band director at the College of Idaho for many years and was penned by Idaho's former governor Robert Smylie as "The Father of Music" in the Boise Valley, as he taught all musical instruments.
My grandfathers talent and teaching skills was obviously passed on to his four son's, as all but one of them became well know and sought after composers and musicians in Los Angeles both before and after WWII. Paul J. Smith had one older brother, Jerome Smith, who although a talented woodwind player, became an electrical engineer in the 30's and worked for RCA as a lead engineer for his entire career. Paul J. Smith also had two younger brothers, Arthur Smith, a woodwind player and studio musician who was under contract with Universal Studios for many years before studio contracts were eliminated in the early 60's, after which he continued to work in all major studios (including Disney), and continued to be very active in the music business for many years to come. Paul J. Smith's youngest brother was George W. Smith, who was also a woodwind player, and was employed for many years as 1st chair clarinet for Columbia Studios, once again, until musicians contracts were cancelled in the 60's, at which point he continued to work in both the major studios (including Disney), as well as recording sessions with major vocal talents and jazz artists of the day. During the later years of his career, George performed with the Disneyland Band in Anaheim, being featured in the Dixieland Band and the Polka Band on clarinet and the Main Street Saxophone Quartet on Alto.
Overall, and impressive an unique accomplishment for the three musical talents from Caldwell Idaho.
My grandfathers talent and teaching skills was obviously passed on to his four son's, as all but one of them became well know and sought after composers and musicians in Los Angeles both before and after WWII. Paul J. Smith had one older brother, Jerome Smith, who although a talented woodwind player, became an electrical engineer in the 30's and worked for RCA as a lead engineer for his entire career. Paul J. Smith also had two younger brothers, Arthur Smith, a woodwind player and studio musician who was under contract with Universal Studios for many years before studio contracts were eliminated in the early 60's, after which he continued to work in all major studios (including Disney), and continued to be very active in the music business for many years to come. Paul J. Smith's youngest brother was George W. Smith, who was also a woodwind player, and was employed for many years as 1st chair clarinet for Columbia Studios, once again, until musicians contracts were cancelled in the 60's, at which point he continued to work in both the major studios (including Disney), as well as recording sessions with major vocal talents and jazz artists of the day. During the later years of his career, George performed with the Disneyland Band in Anaheim, being featured in the Dixieland Band and the Polka Band on clarinet and the Main Street Saxophone Quartet on Alto.
Overall, and impressive an unique accomplishment for the three musical talents from Caldwell Idaho.
