July 4, 2009 the Pensacola Jazz Society lost one of its founding members – Dr. Vernon (Smitty) Smith. My husband, Robert, and I lost a dear friend of nearly 40 years. I met Jan Smith, his wife, on the tennis courts in the early 1970's. We invited them to a party and when they danced out the door in the wee hours of the morning and back inside to the sounds of the Creedance Clearwater Revival, we knew we had made a couple of friends that we could relate to.

Smitty loved his wife and his family as can be said of all good men; but Smitty loved Jazz, dancing and a good rum and tonic as much as anyone can appreciate those life essentials. My husband and I received the benefits of having a friend like Smitty.

He was an excellent sailor, had the right to charter sailing vessels, as he qualified as a "captain." Robert, Jan and I, along with "Captain Scope," as we affectionately called Smitty, sailed around the British Virgin Islands. One can bet that jazz and rum and tonic flowed freely! We rented sailing vessels; sailed to the Wolf Bay lodge; spent the night viewing the sunset, after eating a meal fit for the gods! Life was good; but jazz was always playing in the background.

Smitty, Jan, Robert and I did not miss a Jazz Festival at the New Orleans Fairgrounds for many years. We trudged through mud and much, got sun-burned, ate Mufflelates (I challenge all but Jerry to spell that one!) on the grounds of the Art Museum and, over the years, saw so many great musicians that every time we hear them, we raise a glass to Smitty!

The crowds got to be too much for all of us at the Fairgrounds, so we took to the streets of New Orleans as the Jazz moved downtown. Oh, did we have some good times, staying in rented "condos," etc. as we continued to eat excellent food and listen to excellent jazz on every street corner!

We went to Jazz Gumbos on Monday nights; long after our good friend Smitty could remember the names of the society's members. He never forgot the names of the music or the musicians! He also wanted to dance at every opportunity! I fondly remember dancing the last dance with him at one of those occasions.

But more importantly, I remember every one of the events we shared; every dance, every hug, every time he made me feel special. He loved JAZZ! Isn't that what jazz is all about?

In loving memory,
Glenda Marshman

(Note: Glenda and her husband Robert became members of the JSOP on Sept. 10, 2009. We welcome them both, and look forward to seeing them at JSOP events!)