Frank Smith

Frank Smith (b. Indianapolis, 1950s -- ) – Bassist and composer. Born into a musical family, Frank Smith was influenced by the Indiana Avenue scene and sought inspiration from his mother’s close friend Buddy Montgomery. In fact, Buddy’s famous brother Wes once picked up young Frank’s guitar. After a switch to the bass (electric, then acoustic) and study with Buster Williams (jazz bassist) and David Baker (his mother’s high school sweetheart), Smith played with the The Fifth Dimension for a few years before settling in New York. In the 1990s, he played on cruise ships for several years and got the opportunity to gig with Dizzy Gillespie, Zoot Sims, Teddy Wilson, and Michael LeGrande. Since his return to Indy in 1998, Smith has played regularly with local and visiting musicians and has made multiple appearances at the Indy Jazz Fest. In 2006, he and Steve Allee co-produced his first solo CD entitled Chasing Chances, which features Smith on the melodic seven-string bass in front of an eight-member group. Lastly, Smith has taught for the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops at the University of Louisville.