Caption: Smith was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and was a child music prodigy. At 14, he composed his first march, in honor of the school that gave him a scholarship. This first composition was at the urging of West Point Band Director Philip Egner, who was impressed by the youngster. At 20, Smith reached his peak as a soloist--first trumpet with the Detroit Symphony and the Ford Sunday Evening Hour. That was in 1937. He served in the Navy during the war, took over the Belle Isle Band in '46.
The front and back of this photograph are pictured below.
