Paul Smith, Pianist for Ella Fitzgerald, Dies

Jazz pianist Paul Smith, who once played with Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, died June 29 of heart issues, according to published media reports. The Rancho Palos Verdes resident was 91.

Standing 6-foot-5-inches tall, the San Diego-born Smith began his career in the 1940s, and never stopped giving performances. Until his death, he played piano every Thursday night for the past four years in the lobby of Terranea Resort.

He and the rest of the Paul Smith Trio—consisting of Paul Gormley on bass and Alex Smith on drums—also performed at the Grand Annex in San Pedro and at various charity functions, including the Jazz Through the Generations Festival for Palos Verdes-based nonprofit Freedom4U.

Smith is survived by his wife of 54 years, Annett Warren; his daughter, actress Lauri Johnson; his sons, Gary and Paul; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services and a reception are scheduled for July 27 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Religious Science, located at 907 Knob Hill Ave. in South Redondo Beach, according to the Palos Verdes Peninsula News.

Read more:

• Paul Smith, Renowned Pianist, Dies at 91 [Palos Verdes Peninsula News]
• Jazz Pianist Paul Smith of Rancho Palos Verdes Dies at 91 [Daily Breeze]