James Russell Smith, Jr.

Old friends from High School then college. Memories of high school band camp to Pi Mu Alpha adventures in college are fresh in my mind. The only thing better than Jim´s musicianship was his passion for it. I learned much from him. I wish I had kept communicating with him over the years. I hope that memories of him are a comfort to his family. A very good man! I am proud to have known him.

News of Jim's passing hit hard. My condolences to Shelli and family.
Jim was one of the nicest people one could know and just an outstanding musician. He could read just about anything, I remember him commenting "there is a forest of notes" and then proceeded to read it down. He had an amazing ear and was a solid performer on everything percussion.
One of my favorite things about Jim is that he liked to tell funny stories or jokes and as everyone was chucking if you looked at him he would be beside himself, he enjoyed the stories more than anyone. I will always remember him fondly.

Words come so hard, Jim. Your gentle kindness and quiet strength drew me to you. Quite simply, you were my closest friend and colleague at Berklee. I miss you.

Jim is still a great inspiration to me as a musician, a teacher, and most important as a human being. He was a true mensch.

Jim was more than a colleague at Berklee College. He was a mentor to many of us, helped me through tough times and served perfectly both as a teacher and administrator for so long. I am grateful he composed music for me. I will miss him dearly. RIP my friend.

I will miss you my friend. Gary and Karen Goldsmith.

My deepest condolences.
Carmen Moral

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. My family was privileged to meet Jim , and his lovely family, when they were in Germantown, Tn. My husband, John, and our family lived next door to Steven and Derri for many years. I enjoyed reading of his many accomplishments and pleasures in life. I will be thinking of you all.

There is no word to express my sadness. Jim were a good friend to both my dearest husband Rick who passed away years ago. Our friendship with Jim and Shelli were like a quartet playing that sounds good no matter what. I believe Jim and Rick are meeting up each other in another side of world. The day will come that we will meet up and play quartet again.

Sending my condolences to James's family. From a fellow qi-gong friend.
Philip Meredith

Everyone Jim encountered was changed by his unique magic. His spark lit everyone & we, who have been honored to spend time in his presence, feel truly blessed. Every step he and Shelli have taken, together, are notes of music, composed by heart connected to the energy of, and all beings on, the Earth. Jim´s smile is etched in our minds forever.

What a great guy, kept my sister happy! planting some trees for you dear jimmy!!

Jim was the first of the grandchildren and I was the last. Odd bookends with a twelve year gap but the love for family was always there. If there is only I thing remember about Jim from my childhood it was how proud our "Granny" was of him being a member of the President's Band. Our mother's taught us family was everything and that love spread over any age gap or number of miles between you. I loved him dearly thou we didn't get to spend a lot of time together. As I signed all my cards to him "Love from Memphis " Susie

Jim was my big brother and only sibling. The obituary, composed by Shelli his "everything" as he often described her, can´t be improved. Jim was fearlessly honest and by nature a passionate defender of the underdog (a defining trait of our mother). We shared laughter and observations about the human condition through the lens of shared childhood. I bragged about his professional accomplishments much more than he knew. Goodnight sweet prince. I love you.