Our Spotlight on the Arts shines brightly on Frank Smith! This feature is in memory of an amazing friend and musician who sadly passed away on July 30th, 2023.
It is our honor to share parts of Frank’s artistic story, as told by his friends and fellow artists. We are also sharing an invitation to an upcoming Celebration of Life, hosted by Higher Standards, on April 20th, 2024.
How long had Frank been involved with music? And more specifically, with the band Higher Standards?
Ambus Hunter: We came together as Higher Standards after Frank responded to my Craigslist ad looking for local musicians. Frank (bass guitarist) said he was looking for a drummer to pair with this “really good guitarist” he knew, Alex Bizzarro, to form a jazz trio.
We created this group in March 2013, rehearsing every Tuesday evening in Frank’s basement. We played our first gig at the Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill just a few months later in June. This humble start led to well over 300 gigs over the next ten years for Higher Standards.
Smith also played bass with several Southern Maryland local musicians over the years, such as GrooveSpan, Black Lotus, Tell You Monday, Bottle and A Throttle, and many more.
Alex Bizzarro: My knowledge of Frank’s involvement in music goes back to him telling me about buying and listening to Funkadelic records. As a kid he played those records in his room with the volume down real low and his mother would ask him “What are they saying on those recordings?!”. (Ha, ha!)
Per Obituary: Played in high school band (A.L. Brown High School, c/o 1978, Kannapolis, NC). Played bass guitar, trumpet, and piano (very well).
What (and/or who) were some of Frank’s inspirations?
Alex: Inspirations musically ranged far from Funkadelic, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, and Scott LaFaro’s bass playing with Bill Evans to the rapper Future!
Did he have a favorite style of music?
Alex: I would say Frank loved many styles of music but mainly funk, reggae, and jazz.
What was Frank’s role from his military career days?
Renee: He served in the U.S. Navy and was a “nuke” (Nuclear Machinist Mate) on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
What were some of his interests or occupations outside of music?
Alex: Outside of music, Frank seemed to have worked with everybody! A lot of those relationships, I believe, came from his years of work at the nuclear power plant. He was really into baseball (Washington Nationals) and even played full seasons with his fantasy baseball team on his gaming system.
Frank was also highly into Audio and high-fidelity stereo systems of which he spent a lot of time researching and sourcing the best of the best. His system is still the best I’ve ever heard.
Renee: Baseball. Specifically, the Washington Nationals. Video Games about baseball.
Anything else to add?
Renee: He was sage, especially when it came to people and personalities and motives. He always accepted people as they were. Even if they wronged him in some way, he didn’t get hung up on it, just said that’s who they were.
Frank was a perfectionist. He was perfect for the job he had after the Navy, a Quality Assurance Manager, because he was the most precise person I have ever met. I think it is why he became such a good musician.
Jennifer Cooper:
Frank played with a grounded presence, attention to detail, and love for the groove. In rehearsals, he brought forth intelligence and creativity, delivered in an unhurried velvet voice, sometimes with a surrendering chuckle, and often with that wide disarming smile.
He spoke fondly of his impending retirement from work, with plans to spend more time making music and living life, which is precisely what he did.
Tributes from his friends and fellow artists:
AMBUS HUNTER, friend and bandmate, Higher Standards Jazz Trio — “Frank was the visionary, originator, and wisdom of our trio. The band was just one example of his ongoing commitment to exploration, learning, and growth; never afraid to try something new and delve deep. I will miss his dry humor, mentorship, and brotherhood.”
ALEX BIZZARRO, friend and bandmate, Higher Standards Jazz Trio — “I was a close friend and fellow bandmate for ten years with Frank! I miss our late-night hangs talking about almost anything hanging and spinning records. Keep on groovin’ ol’ sport!”
JENNIFER COOPER, friend and former bandmate, GrooveSpan — “Frank was the first hired bass player in our band GrooveSpan. Equal to his work ethic and professionalism was the fantastic chillax vibe he brought to the stage — a perfect balance of calm essence and serious artistry. I was quietly inspired and enlightened by every interaction with Frank. His presence in our lives — and in this world — is greatly missed.”
CARL REICHELT, friend and former bandmate, GrooveSpan — “Frank was a good listener and was always situationally aware. He was someone who could separate the wheat from the chaff — an intellectual who knew how to distinguish between reality and baloney.”
RENEE VAN ERP, friend — “Frank made me a better person. He helped me to drill down to what matters in life and to ignore the other noise. He taught me to focus on the good in people and to try my hardest to filter out the negative aspects. And he helped me to believe in some semblance of an afterlife… I really hope I get to see him again.”
FELICIA BUTLER, friend and bandmate, Black Lotus — Submitted poem:
Traces of You
You’ve left an undeniable mark
A lasting impression
An imprint
In your music
In your thoughts
Your pearls of wisdom
In all you would do
In all you gave
In all you were
In all you are
You were here
We will never forget you
You will live on
In our hearts
In our minds
There will always be traces of you
For updated news about the Celebration of Life planned for Frank Smith on April 20, 2024, click here for the event link on Facebook or email: higherstandardsjazz@gmail.com
Photo Credits:
?Portrait of Frank by Rebecca Dean – IG: dreamt_bec (https://www.instagram.com/dreamt_bec/)
?Group photo – Jenn Dorsey FB: Dingus Has a Camera (https://www.facebook.com/dingushasacamera)
- Other photos provided by Ambus Hunter and Higher Standards.