Johnny Smith

Unfolding harmonies to the very last note, Johnny Smith possessed a gorgeous and subtle means of expression on the guitar. Self-taught on trumpet and guitar, he played both with the NBC pop & symphony orchestras from 1947 to 1953. He had a hit record with his delicately beautiful "Moonlight in Vermont," which also featured Stan Getz; it was voted Downbeat's top jazz record of 1952. After a prolific recording career in the '50s, he moved to Colorado to open a music store and teach in the early '60s.