SMITH, HALE. Composer ( in Cleveland, Ohio). He began piano study at the age of seven, and although his family was not musical, they encouraged his interest in music. During his high school years he played in both concert and jazz groups, first beginning to play jazz at fourteen. The same year he began to play professionally by accompanying singers in local nightclubs. His early piano jazz style was influenced by
Earl Hines
,
Arthur (Art
) Tatum
, and
Theodore (...