Frank Smith

Frank Smith (30 June 1927 – 18 February 1974) was an Australian jazz musician and TV composer.

Career Frank Smith was born in Sydney in 1927. He first performed in a group led by his father, and learnt saxophone from Ralph Pommer, an alto saxophonist.

In 1947 Smith joined a band led by Gaby Rogers, Smith went onto join the band for The Graham Kennedy Show, before starting Frank Smith Productions and working in advertising and composing TV theme songs, such as those for Bellbird and Hunter. who put out early releases by Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, and a mix of rock, folk, and soundtrack music. Later, a compilation of every Havoc single was released in 2008.

Smith died of a heart attack at the beginning of 1974, A memorial concert, compered by Bert Newton, was held to raise money for Smith's wife and five children, and was broadcast live on TV, during which a number of Crawford regular actors sang or displayed their musical abilities.

He was a mentor or influence for Graeme Lyall, Graham Morgan, Alan Turnbull, Ted Nettlebeck, Barry Duggan, and Bernie McGann. He was considered Australia's answer to American jazz musician Charlie Parker,