Pat Smythe (pianist)

Patrick Mungo Smythe (* 1923 in Edinburgh; † 6 May 1983; London ) was a British jazz pianist.

Life and work

Smythe, the first as his father sought a legal career, attended Winchester College, and then to study law at Oxford University. During the Second World War, he interrupted his studies to serve as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. He continued his studies at Edinburgh University on again and then worked in the office of his father. In the late 1950s he moved to London to become a professional musician. There he first worked in the band of Dizzy Reece. In May 1960 he became a member of the quintet of Joe Harriott, where he remained during the 1960s, and at the legendary recordings he was involved. In 1962 he presented an album under his own name. Since 1965 he was a member of the Double Quintet Indo- jazz fusion of John Mayer, where he intensively engaged in only one of the jazz musicians involved with the underlying ragas. He also took on with Shake Keane.

In addition, he worked with through -trotting guests such as Stan Getz, Paul Gonsalves (Boom - Jackie - Boom -Chick ), Ben Webster, Tony Bennett, Zoot Sims and Anita O'Day. In the 1970s, he was one of the groups of Kenny Wheeler, Peter King, Ronnie Scott, Ronnie Ross, Tony Kinsey and Johnny Dankworth; in the London jazz clubs he also accompanied the singers Carol Kidd and Elaine Delmar. With the discovered by Ronnie Scott singer Sandra King, he toured North America. He also led his own trio, which was also extended for TV productions with Annie Ross septet. With Fran Landesman, he wrote songs that were interpreted by Norma Winstone, and Karin Krog. He died in 1983 after a long illness.

1985 Pat Smythe Memorial Trust was founded, who founded a named according to Smythe Award and coming musicians such as Julian Argüelles, Jason Rebello, Nigel Hitchcock or Anita Wardell supported.