Friends of Frank Smith

William Frank Smith, Jr. grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina, with a love of music that would remain with him throughout his life.

He began playing the trumpet in grade school and high school bands, eventually developing an appreciation for jazz, funk, reggae, and other musical styles while becoming a beautifully melodic player on both piano and bass guitar. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate, he settled in Southern Maryland, earned a degree from the College of Southern Maryland, and built a career as a Quality Assurance Engineer.

His curiosity and attention to detail were assets in his professional career and influenced his hobbies, from vinyl collecting to high-fidelity sound reproduction. Returning to his passion for music, Frank became a staple of the Southern Maryland music scene, performing with several local groups, and serving as a founding member of the Higher Standards Jazz Trio, which performed more than 300 shows throughout the region.

His friends and family remember Frank for his grounded presence, artistry, thoughtful perspective, deep love for the groove, Washington Nationals fandom, and dedicated pursuit of a life well lived. The Frank Smith Legacy Scholarship honors the lasting impact he had on the people around him by supporting future generations of musicians as they discover, develop, and share their own voices.