Smith, Leonard B. (Leonard Bingley), 1915-2002

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Leonard B. Smith (1915-2002) was an American cornetist, concert band conductor, and band music publisher. Born September 5, 1915, in Poughkeepsie, New York, he began studying the trumpet at age 8, received a musical scholarship to the New York Military Academy at 14, and joined the Edwin Franko Goldman Band at 19. During his six-year career in New York, Leonard B. Smith played the familiar trumpet call announcing the popular Lone Ranger radio program. In the 1930s he served his tenure as principal trumpet of the Detroit Symphony. During World War II, Smith was principal cornetist and soloist with the U.S. Navy Band. He established the Leonard Smith Band on April 5, 1946 which later become known as the Belle Isle Concert Band, and then in 1971 as the Detroit Concert Band. As a band leader Leonard B. Smith recorded all of John Philip Sousa's marches and made a BBC documentary about Sousa's life. While working as a band conductor and music publisher he amassed a large collection of symphonies, operas, and ballet music arranged for band. Although he gave up playing trumpet and cornet when he was 55, Leonard B. Smith conducted the Detroit Concert Band until 1991. He died July 26, 2002, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

From the description of the Leonard B. Smith Papers, 1859-2001 (bulk 1920-1980). Library of Congress catalog record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2006568231

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Leonard B. Smith papers, 1859-2001 Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf Smith, Leonard B. (Leonard Bingley), 1915-2002. Leonard B. Smith Collection 1840-2001 (bulk 1901-2000). Library of Congress
referencedIn Papers, 1930-1962. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Williams, Ernest S. Ernest S. Williams papers, 1917-2002 (majority 1925-1948) University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Slater, K. B. (Kenneth Burton), 1917-2005. Kenneth Slater papers, 1859-1997 (1940-1980). University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
creatorOf Smith, Leonard B. (Leonard Bingley), 1915-2002. Correspondence with Eugene Ormandy, 1977-1978. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Smith, Leonard B. (Leonard Bingley), 1915-2002. Hail Detroit / LB Smith. Bowling Green State University, BGSU Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Broadcasting Company. corporateBody
memberOf Detroit symphony orchestra corporateBody
associatedWith Edwards, Michael. person
associatedWith Gilmore, P. S. (Patrick Sarsfield), 1829-1892. person
associatedWith Goldman, Edwin Franko, 1878-1956. person
associatedWith Slater, K. B. (Kenneth Burton), 1917-2005. person
associatedWith Sousa, John Philip, 1854-1932. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Poughkeepsie NY US
Detroit MI US
Scottsdale AZ US
Subject
Band music
Band music, Arranged
Conductors (Music)
Marches (Orchestra)
Occupation
Musicians
Conductors (Music)
Musician, Instrumental
Music publishers
Activity
Music publishers

Person

Birth 1915-09-05

Death 2002-07-23

Male

Americans

English

Information

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