Daniel Smith, a bassoonist who recorded and performed in both jazz and classical music, died at 77 on Dec. 19, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The cause of death was an aggressive infection that led to cardiac arrest. His daughter Jacqueline Smith confirmed his death, news of which was circulated via a press release in recent days.
According to that release, the Bronx-born Smith studied music at Manhattan School of Music, Columbia University and the Mannes College of Music. In the U.S. Army, he was a member of the West Point Academy Big Band. During his early twenties he played the saxophone with several big bands including the Cab Calloway Orchestra and others.