Nathaniel Clark Smith

If you are interested in learning about a pioneer African American music educator in the United States, then you want to read the story of Nathaniel Clark Smith. Smith was a prolific and charismatic music educator, musician, and composer who lived during the early years of music education history in the United States. His formal training in music was on a military base in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Extended studies were from Guild Hall in London, England. A college graduate with B.M.A. and M.M degrees, Smith taught music in educational institutions and industries; was a world traveller who performed with the Ernest Hogan Minstrel Troupe; introduced the saxophone to African Americans; composed and published spirituals, marches, operatic songs, a suite, and an unfinished symphony; and hosted a radio broadcast show which was aired all over the Mid-West. He organized bands and out of that, orchestras, choirs, glee clubs and numerous combinations of the voice and instruments were developed. Smith captured the melodies of the countries that he visited in his music compositions.

During his illustrious career, Smith worked with Frederick Douglas, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Booker T. Washington, Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Milton Hinton, John Phillip Sousa, a young Charlie Parker, and others. His students from the Lincoln High School Band became the nucleus of the big band format of the Mid-West. His Pullman Porter musicians were able to perform at a moment's notice.

Married with one daughter and the son of an African Sergeant Trumpeter and Indian mother, The Story of Nathaniel Clark Smith is a colourful reading of the times during abolition to the mid depression years in the United States. It is the story of an African-American who survived the challenges of the time to obtain a successful music career, and who helped people to better their lives through music in the Mid-Western and Southern African-American communities of the United States.

Dr. Eva Diane Lyle-Smith, Trumpeter, Music Educator and Band Director has taught music on pre K-college for over 40 years. She is a retired Band Director and Teacher of Music with the Camden City Schools in Camden, NJ. Dr. Eva is the first female Band Director in the Historical Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCU) Fayetteville State University, NC 1977-80. She is the first female band director in the C.I.A.A. (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Lyle-Smith received the B. S., M.M, and Ph.D. in Music Education with emphasis in Trumpet and Jazz from Hampton University, VA; Bowling Green State University, OH; and the University of North Texas, TX. She is the second African-American to receive the Ph.D. in Music Education from UNT. Dr. Eva performs on trumpet and direct bands professionally throughout the United States and Abroad. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, NY; Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, DC; and the World Exposition Fair, LA. Dr. Eva is an Apollo Theater Alumnus, NY; a member of the Vashon High School Hall of Fame, MO; the successor to jazz patriot, Ellis Marsalis at Xavier University, LA.; and, recorded on LYLE Records, PA. She is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc., (NARAS) which promotes the Grammy Awards.

Dr. Eva has met, performed and/or shared the stage with Billy Eckstein, Frankie Laine, Dakota Staton, Abbey Lincoln, Hank Crawford, Ellis, Wynton, Bradford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, Allen Toussaint, Etta James, Fats Domino, the Staple Singers, Patti La Belle, Burning Spear and his Burning Band, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley's side men, Tonight Show Musicians, Miles Davis, Nat Adderly, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Milton Hinton and others. She has interviewed on Temple Univ. WRTI 90.1 FM Women in Jazz, and listed in Downbeat Magazine. She performed at the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz Mardi Gras Debutant Balls and the Jamaican School of the Arts. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pershing Angels Military Sorority, the Order of Eastern Star and Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority. Dr. Eva resides in Philadelphia and is divorced with one Son and two grandsons.

Dr. Eva received the 2023 Dr. Judith M. Owens Spirit Award: A Champion of Ethnic-Minority Rights, Issues, and Education through the New Jersey Educators Association. She is selected to teach music globally through the Forte Music Platform partnership with the Recording Academy of Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Eva continues to perform and tour throughout the United States and Abroad.