[Dixielandjazz] : guitarist Johnny Smith RIP-- bassist Steve Gilmore writes.

[Norman Vickers]

To:  Musicians and Jazzfans list

From: Norman

 

Jazz bassist Steve Gilmore now resides in Panama City, FL ( 100 miles east
of Pensacola).  He responds to the post about Johnny Smith's death.

 

Some background on Steve for those who don't know him.  He's been bassist
for saxophonist Phil Woods for past 30 years.  For most of that time, he has
lived in Delaware Water Gap, PA which is also where Woods lives.  Steve's
wife is from Panama City, FL and several years ago they moved to our area.
So, he's a frequent player in the Central Gulf Coast area when he's not
otherwise traveling.  Also, another little-known fact, Steve was bassist for
Tony Bennett for five years.

 

Thanks, Steve, for your comments. 

 

 

From: Steve Gilmore [mailto:stevegilmorebass at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 1:48 PM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: guitarist Johnny Smith RIP

 

 Hey Norman I was fortunate to have played with Bob Pancoast as a young man
who was Johnny smith's pianist for several years. Bobby also recorded

at least several times with Johnny. The lessons I learned playing music with
him (Bobby) were invaluable. He actually was the person I mentioned to you

that I stayed with when I moved down to Miami in 1967. We worked together
with Flip Phillips.     Steve G.