After
leaving the band of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Chris
joined Frank Weir's Orchestra and toured with Matt Munro and Shirley
Bassey. He then moved on to play in a number of West End Shows
including "West Side Story" at Her Majesty's Theatre,
Haymarket.
Whilst featuring with John Dankworth's Orchestra in 1963, Chris
was heard by Ted Heath and later played with the Ted Heath Orchestra
until Ted's retirement. Still only 27 years of age, Chris Smith
was by now one of the busiest trombone players in the recording
studios.
Soon he was to join the prolific Jack Parnell T.V. Orchestra,
where he was to remain for almost 15 years, taking part in all
the major TV shows at ATV Borehamwood, including the famous "Sunday
Night at the Palladium" series and many Royal Command Performances.
Chris also featured in many other TV series both for BBC and Thames
TV, notably Morecambe and Wise, Des O'Connor, Name That Tune,
Nana Mouscouri, Petula Clarke and the Paul Daniels Magic Show.
Les Dawson, Harry Secombe and the Song by Song Series were recorded
at YTV.
During this busy period, each year, for five years, Chris played
for the Michael Aspel show at LWT where he met and performed with
such famous celebrities as Kirk Douglas, Elizabeth Taylor, Mel
Brookes, Tony Curtis, Oliver Reed, George Segal, Mel Gibson and
even Margaret Thatcher!
As a trombonist, Chris Smith is known throughout the music business
for his professionalism and musical flair. His talents are of
such a high calibre that he has accompanied Frank Sinatra on numerous
occasions, including his World Tour - "The Ultimate Event"
in 1989. During his extraordinary career, Chris has also featured
with many other international show business personalities, including
the legendary Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Perry Como, Sammy Davis
Jnr, Liza Minelli, Barbara Streisand and Tom Jones.
As a young musician, Chris was inspired by the great bandleaders
of the past but in creating and leading "The String of Pearls"
he has brought the BIG BAND SOUND bang up-to-date and fulfilled
a long standing ambition.
CHRIS
SMITH and THE STRING OF PEARLS ORCHESTRA are fast growing in popularity.
Their strength is their ability to move with the times. They will
create for you a lively party atmosphere, with a programme ranging
from Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra through to todays current
chart hits.
