Ken Smith (3)

Ken Smith was a virtuoso cornet player, from New Zealand. The elder son of legendary conductor K.G.L. Smith, Ken Smith was born in Westport, New Zealand. He was a youthful prodigy and became a virtuoso cornet player, winning the New Zealand cornet championship three years in succession in 1948-49-50. He left New Zealand for the United Kingdom, to play with the Fairey Aviation Works Band in 1950. Arriving in post war Britain Smith, discovered a country that was so dour that, despite being quite a serious man, he felt committed to brightening up the place. He came from a family with banding in it’s veins and was Principal Cornet of the National Band of New Zealand that not only won but destroyed all opposition in winning the 1953 British Open. His return to Fairey’s Band in 1954 was nothing short of sensational, with his style, tone and amazing technique literally placing him years ahead of any of his contemporaries. Ken conducted St Kilda Brass for a period and later moved to Australia and a senior academic post at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music. He toured New Zealand, the USA and Canada as a trumpet soloist throughout the 1970s working with leading symphony orchestras including the NZSO. He was appointed Musical Director of the 1985 National Band that toured the U.K. and Europe. He has served as an adjudicator in both New Zealand and Australia. His subsequent career as a conductor and administrator back in New Zealand was even more effective with him being honoured by the Queen for his achievements. Ken retired and returned to Australia in 1996. He was later appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to brass bands.