Hale Smith

Hale Smith (June 29, 1925 – November 24, 2009) was an American composer, arranger, and pianist.

Biography Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he learned piano at an early age and played mellophone in the high school band. As a teenager, he played jazz piano in local nightclubs. His composition Four Songs won the first student composer award given by BMI. With Chico Hamilton he wrote music for the movie Mr. Ricco (1975).

In 1948, he married Juanita Hancock. He has a daughter, Robin, who resides in Manhattan, and three sons: Michael from Freeport, Eric from York, PA, and Marcel from Harpursville, NY. Additionally, he has three grandchildren.

His compositions include The Valley Wind (1952), In Memoriam, Beryl Rubinstein (1953), Sonata for Cello and Piano (1955), Contours for Orchestra (1961), Faces of Jazz (1965), Evocation (1966), Ritual and Incantation (1974), Innerflexions (1977), Toussaint L'Ouverture (1979), Solemn Music (1979), Three Patterson Lyrics (1985), and Dialogues and Commentaries (1991) Four Songs for Medium Voice (1952) The Valley Wind (1952) In Memoriam – Beryl Rubinstein (1953) Sonata for Violoncello and Piano (1955) Two Love Songs of John Donne (1958) Feathers (1960) Contours for Orchestra (1961) Take a Chance: An Aleatoric Episode (1964) By Yearning and by Beautiful (1964) Evocation (1966) Expansions (1967) Music for Harp and Chamber Orchestra (1967) Trinal Dance (1968) I Love Music (c. 1970) – recorded by Betty Carter, Joe Lovano, Beyond the Rim of Day (1970) Anticipations, Introspections and Reflections for Piano Solo (1971) Exchanges (1972) Somersault: A Twelve Tone Adventure (1974) Ritual and Incantation (1974) Variations for Six Players (1975) Innerflexions (1977) Solemn Music (1979) Toussaint L'Ouverture, 1803 (1979) Meditations in Passage (1982) Variations a' Due for saxophone and cello (1984, rev.1995), recorded by Dr. Ira Wiggins and Dr. Timothy Holley March and Fanfare for an Elegant Lady (1986) Mirrors: Rondo-Variations for Two Pianos (1988, 1990). Commissioned by the Delphin & Romain Piano Duo Dialogues & Commentaries (1990–91) Recitative and Aria (1995)