Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Scottsdale - Donald R Smith (1927-2022) passed away peacefully on may 11th, 2022. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? What could go wrong? Activating the following button will add more search options to the page. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Knew Don since the 60s. Smith is survived by his daughter Yaisa Smith, son Tecumseh Smith; and his brothers Ray and Lonnie Liston Smith. Smith developed a cult following at Showmans Caf while there he exhibited his incredible singing ability and played his second instrument, the flute. It was during those evenings sitting on the stoop, Donald and I discovered we unknowingly spent time together in my hometown of Rochester NY in the 1960s at the Pythodd Hall jazz club on Clarissa St. Me at the bar and Donald on the stage. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Sorens?n or Wil* Search for an exact birth/death year or select a range, before or after. Smith stated during an interview with this writer, I never categorize the music, I just love playing it all and as long as the cats call me, I will play. Smith was one of the few musicians who played primarily straight-ahead jazz but was constantly called upon to play in the avant-garde arena. Donald Smith was a great piano player and singer but more he was a great human being who was loved by his people. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. His father Lonnie Liston Smith Sr. was a member of the famous gospel group the Harmonizing Four. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjnFxisV5x8. 26, 2023. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. . Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Weve updated the security on the site. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Published in Pensacola News Journal. We often performed in Gospel concerts in churches in Richmond head lined by the Harmonizing Four. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Donald G. Smith, Glen Park, passed away Wednesday, April 26th at Samaritan Medical Center. Where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. His piano playing was among the tops also. Donald had a wonderful spirit, he was extremely kind, humble and too self-effacing. Donald Smith was born on Sept. 4, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia. Write your message of sympathy today. There was an error deleting this problem. These 78 years now seem like days. I have photos from those events. I met Don in Chambana and he was a delight. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. September 23, 1939 - Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. In those days we all knew ourselves by families. I think Mercer Ellington may have hipped us to it. His death was confirmed by his daughter Yaisa Smith; a cause was not given. There is a problem with your email/password. (Wilson) Smith. Obituary. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. While not an industrious leader, he was a much sought after pianist until his health began to deteriorate and suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Donald L. Smith. We are sad to announce that on April 26, 2023, at the age of 82, Donald G. Smith of Glen Park, New York, born in Watertown, New York passed away. Please reset your password. He was special and will be missed. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. He was born on Tuesday, July 16, 1940 to Orville Ray Smith and Josie Mae (Gamel) Smith in Dallas, Texas. Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Patricia Smith (Leana); his son William Drake . Donald Smith, the underrated musical genius, who was adept in playing everything from straight-ahead jazz with Dizzy Gillespie and Jackie McLean to avant-garde out sounds with Archie Shepp, died on April 9, at a nursing home in Riverdale, New York.