Paul Smoker, American jazz trumpeter, Died at 75

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Paul Alva Smoker was born on May 8, 1941, in Muncie, Indiana, and died on May 14, 2016.

He was an American jazz trumpeter.

He grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and moved to Chicago to play professionally.

Paul Smoker worked there in the 1960s, playing with Bobby Christian among others.

Smoker received his doctorate at the University of Iowa in 1974, and taught at Coe College from 1976 to 1990, as well as for shorter periods at the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Smoker worked with musicians such as Anthony Braxton, Gregg Bendian, Damon Short, Randy McKean, and Phil Haynes.

Paul was a member of Joint Venture, who recorded for Enja Records in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Paul Smoker records issued on CIMP in the 1990s feature sidemen such as Vinny Golia, Ken Filiano, and Steve Salerno.

Other than jazz, Smoker was also involved in the performance of contemporary classical music.

Paul has worked out of upstate New York since 1990.

Paul Smoker passed away at 75 yrs old.