Joseph Cyrus Smith

Joseph Cyrus Smith (August 13, 1883 – March 22, 1965) was an American violinist, composer, dance band leader and recording artist most popular in the second and third decades of the 20th century.

Biography Joseph Cyrus Smith was born in Sag Harbor, New York in 1883. Most of his recorded output are instrumentals, although Victor Records would sometimes assign an in-house vocalist to some sides. He was the first to record a Cole Porter song. It was Smith's lack of use of instrumental soloists that led to his sound becoming outdated and the corresponding decline in his popularity as a recording artist. His recording of Smiles, featuring Harry Macdonough on vocals, is estimated to have been the #1 record for a week in August 1918. He then recorded briefly for Brunswick Records in 1923. Harry Raderman