Whispering Jack Smith

Whispering Jack Smith

Source:  Jazz Age Music

Born in Bronx on 30 May 1896, Whispering Jack Smith (not to be confused with Smilin' Jack Smith) was a pianist and baritone crooner who began his career in 1915 singing in a quartet in a theater in the Bronx. Having served the cause during World War I, it is said that his soft style was the result of poison gas, preventing him from singing at greater throttle. It's also mentioned, however, that he could belt a tune, making his intimate speaking approach more a matter of style. Howsoever, release from military saw him plugging music in NYC for the Irving Berlin Music Publishing Company. He then obtained employment at a radio station when a scheduled singer didn't show up, Smith filling his vacant spot with piano. He also began to work vaudeville about that time.

Releasing his first recordings in 1925, DAHR [refs below] has Smith as a vocalist in a trial session for Victor as early as 28 August for 'Alone at Last' and 'My Sweetie Turned Me Down' (unissued). Come 15 September he recorded 'Cecilia' and 'I Care for Her and She Cares for Me' for release on Victor 19787 and 19800 the same year [Discogs]. 'Cecilia' charted at #7 in January 1926. Smith had his heydays on the charts into 1928, getting positioned at #14 that year for 'The Song is Ended'. 'Gimme a Lil' Kiss, Will Ya Huh?' had topped the charts at #1 in June of 1926. His best-selling title overall was 'Me and My Shadow', that topping the charts in 1927. Smith both accompanied himself at piano and was accompanied by others. Per titles stacked below, where another pianist is not found credited it is assumed that Smith is at the keys.

Smith made his way to England in 1927, again in 1928 along with a visit to Berlin. Returning to the States, he worked for NBC radio in New York City. In 1929 he performed in the film, 'Happy Days', for the Fox Film Corporation (founded 1915 to expire and become 20th Century Fox in 1930). In 1930 he traveled to Hollywood to sing 'You May Not Like It But It's a Great Idea' in the film musical, 'Cheer Up and Smile' [IMDb].

Smith's career declined as he moved into the Depression years, becoming obscure until attempting a revival in 1940 via Decca. ODP (Online Discographical Project) has him putting down 'Cecilia' / 'I'm Knee Deep in Daisies' (Decca 3156) on 16 April 1940 and 'I Wish You Were Jealous of Me' / 'A Faded Photograph' (Decca 3437) on 13 September the same year.

Smith's recordings of 1940 barely made a sound and he gained no more traction into the forties than in the thirties. He was retired by the time of his death of heart attack on 13 May 1950 in New York City. Though Smith had been highly popular in the latter half of the Roaring Twenties, he is yet buried in an unmarked grave.