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Mauricio Smith (July 11, 1931 - August 3, 2002) was a renowned saxophone and flute player from Colón, Panamá, known as "Señor Saxofón." A giant of Latin music, he played a significant role in the development of salsa and Latin jazz, contributing his exceptional talent as both a musician and an arranger. Smith was one of the few Panamanian musicians to establish a successful career in New York, excelling in both Latin and non-Latin music. In addition to his mastery of the flute, Smith was highly skilled with various saxophones and was proficient in playing piccolo, clarinet, harmonica, classical guitar, upright and Fender bass, vibraphone, and Latin percussion. Although he did not release many albums under his name, he collaborated with numerous prominent figures in Latin music, including Candido, Mongo Santamaría, Tito Puente, Machito, Tito Rodríguez, Ray Barretto, Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, and Gloria Estefan, among others. He also worked with notable American artists such as Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Eartha Kitt, and Harry Belafonte. Mauricio Smith served as the musical director for several orchestras, including those of Mongo Santamaría and Tito Rodríguez, and made significant contributions to Broadway productions like “No No Nanette,” “Doctor Jazz,” and “West Side Story.” He arranged music for films such as “C

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