Claydes C. Smith, Jazz Guitarist, Kool and the Gang, Is Dead at 57

[needlefingers]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 23, 2006

LOS ANGELES, June 22 (AP) — Claydes Charles Smith, a founder and the lead guitarist of the group Kool and the Gang, died on Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J. He was 57.

He died after a long illness, said his publicist, David Brokaw, who said he did not know the cause.

Kool and the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960's to become a major success in the 1970's, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. After a downturn, the group enjoyed a return to stardom in the 80's.

Mr. Smith, who was known as Charles Smith, wrote the hits "Joanna" and "Take My Heart" and was a co-writer of others, including "Celebration," "Hollywood Swinging" and "Jungle Boogie."

Born on Sept. 6, 1948, in Jersey City, he was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early 1960's. Later in that decade he was in a group of New Jersey jazz musicians including Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan); Robert Bell, known as Kool; George Brown; Dennis Thomas; and Robert Mickens, called Spike, all of whom became Kool and the Gang. Other members would include the lead singer James (J. T.) Taylor.

Illness forced Mr. Smith to stop touring with the group in January.

He is survived by his children, Claydes A. Smith, Justin Smith, Aaron Corbin, August Williams, Uranus Guray and Tyteen Humes, and by nine grandchildren.




Thanks for some great music.

[Nano]

Thanks indeed. May he rest in peace.

[qdearl]

His memory will live on in the music he has left behind.....

R.I.P

[Disco Funk]

Yes, this is too bad. He did some great work on the Kool & The Gang albums. I can't get over how he pulled off playing just one note on the guitar throughout the entire Jungle Boogie! If you don't believe me, just listen to it.

Disco Funk

[Nano]

And "Funky stuff"? I always give this as an example of what James Brown said to his wannabe guitar players: "OK, you can play that riff, but can you keep playing it during, like, 20 minutes?"

Funk as a work of minimalism art. 8)