Nathaniel Clark Smith facts for kids

Nathaniel Clark Smith (often called Major N. Clark Smith) was an important African-American musician, composer, and music teacher. He lived in the United States in the early 1900s. Born in Kansas, Smith started learning music very early. He began organizing bands in Wichita in 1893. His strong, military-like leadership helped him become famous. Over the next 30 years, he led bands in Chicago, Wichita, Kansas City, the Tuskegee Institute, and St. Louis. He taught many famous early Jazz musicians from these cities. Smith passed away in 1935 after a stroke. Sadly, many of his personal papers were lost in a fire.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Nathaniel Clark Smith was born on July 31, 1877, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His father, Dan Smith, was an Army Trumpeter at the fort. His mother, Maggie Smith, was part Cherokee. At Fort Leavenworth, Nathaniel learned music from a German bandleader named H.E. Gungle. Gungle saw Smith's talent and encouraged him to keep studying music.

After finishing school, Smith worked briefly in the publishing business in Kansas City. In 1891, he joined the Army as a trumpeter at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. However, health issues meant he could not continue a military career. So, in 1893, he moved to Wichita, Kansas with his wife, Laura Smith.

Smith shared a special story from his childhood. He said that his father knew Frederick Douglass, a famous leader. When Smith was eight, he played music with Douglass. They played the well-known Negro spiritual song, Steal Away to Jesus. This song later became a famous musical arrangement by Smith.

Leading Bands and Teaching Music

Wherever Nathaniel Clark Smith lived, he formed many different bands and choirs. These included groups for beginners, youth touring bands, singing groups, and even symphony orchestras.

Early Bands in Chicago and Kansas City

Smith started organizing bands in Wichita. One of his bands was chosen to perform at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. While in Chicago, Smith signed a deal with Lyon & Healy, a music company. He would organize bands and choruses for their music publications. He moved to Chicago for this job and started several bands there.

He also led the band for the Eighth Illinois Infantry unit for four years. During this time, he went with the infantry to the Spanish–American War. He even met Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt at the Battle of San Juan Hill. It is believed that during this time, he earned the rank of Major in the United States Army. While living in Chicago, he studied at the Chicago Musical College. He had to enroll as a "private student" because the school was mostly for white students. His daughter, Anna, was born in Chicago.

In 1898, Smith returned to Kansas City. He led a youth band on an 18-month tour of Europe and Australia. This tour included a performance at the 1900 Paris Exposition. After the tour, Smith continued to form and lead bands in Chicago and Wichita until 1905.

Tuskegee Institute and Western Baptist University

In 1905, Teddy Roosevelt encouraged Smith to become the bandleader at the Tuskegee Institute. This famous school was led by Booker T. Washington. To honor his new school, Smith composed the Tuskegee Institute March. After eight years, Smith left Tuskegee.

In 1913, his connection with Teddy Roosevelt helped him again. Smith accepted a job to lead the military and music departments at Western Baptist University in Kansas City. His teaching was very strict, and he got great results.

Lincoln High School and Chicago Defender Newsboys Band

Because of his success, Smith left the university in 1916 to join Lincoln High School in Kansas City. Even though his teaching was strict, he started encouraging students to try out the new musical style called Jazz.

In 1922, he moved again to become the bandleader at the Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Chicago. Everywhere he went, Smith was known for organizing many bands. He formed the first African-American symphony orchestra, several women's choruses and bands, and youth bands. One famous youth band was The Chicago Defender's Newsboys Band. A young Lionel Hampton, who became a famous musician, was part of this band.

Success in St. Louis

In 1931, Smith moved to St. Louis, Missouri to teach at Sumner High School. He continued to organize many community bands and music groups. It was in St. Louis that his work became most widely known. His composition Negro Folk Suite won the Wannamaker Prize in 1932. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performed it that same year. From 1933 to 1935, CBS Radio broadcast a weekly show called St. Louis Blues with Smith as the bandleader.

Death and Lasting Impact

Nathaniel Clark Smith returned to Kansas City in 1935. After attending a boxing match in Chicago in August 1935, he suffered a stroke. He passed away on October 8, 1935.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City called Smith "America's Greatest Colored Bandmaster." His work had a huge impact on African-American music, especially on jazz. He was very strict and demanding in his music lessons. One of his students, Harlan Leonard, described him as "short, gruff, military in bearing, wore glasses and was never without his full uniform and decorations."

Famous Students

Many of Smith's students went on to have important music careers. Some of them include:

• Lammar Wright, Sr.
• Harlan Leonard
• Walter Page
• Eddie Cole (brother of Nat King Cole)
• Lionel Hampton
• Milt Hinton
• Ray Nance
• Jimmy Forrest
• Jessalyn Coleman
• Roberta Dodd Crawford
• Quinn Wilson
• Hayes Alvis
• Ernie Wilkins
• Pauline James Lee (who became the President of the Chicago University of Music)

Notable Compositions and Writings

Smith composed almost 100 musical pieces. Many of his works and arrangements were very important. He often created music for Negro spirituals and plantation songs. Some of his famous compositions include:

• Steal Away to Jesus
• Frederick Douglass Funeral March
• Tuskegee Institute March
• Negro Folk Suite

He also wrote about music practice. He had a weekly column in The Call Newspaper. He also wrote two books:

• The Elements of Music
• New Jubilee Songs for Quartette, Choir or Chorus