Charles Evans Smith, formerly of Downingtown

Rehoboth’s Renaissance Man, Charles Evans Smith, a.k.a. “The Doctor Rhythm” of Rehoboth, DE and a native of Downingtown was found deceased in his bedroom at the age of 60 on November 1, 2017, a few years after suffering from several health issues.

Charles lived a musically productive life. Besides sharing time with his close friends, Charles’s greatest passion in life was the arts. A chef, painter, a martial artist, his goal was to always make music and share his artistic abilities with others, which inspired fellow musicians and amazed audiences wherever he played.

Following graduation from Downingtown High School in 1976, Charles and twin brother Chester played together in the “Jazz Machine band” developing their musical styles, and caught the attention of a producer who put the band on the bill to open for guitar legend Larry Coryell (1943-2017). This launched their musical careers, which led to appearances on national television. Charles honed all his skills and evolved into a multi-talented musician, proficient on the drums, various percussion instruments, flute, alto and soprano saxophones, chromatic harmonica, African kalimba, keyboards, guitar, bass and his coveted triton samba whistle.

Many of Charles’s large and extensive family still live in the suburbs of Philadelphia. His mother Mildred Elizabeth Smith, sister Elaine Yvonne Dukeman, brother Clark Whitney Smith and twin brother Chester Everett Smith, Charles’s daughter, Myeeshah Asoy Madrigale and her mother Diane Elizabeth Madrigale, survive Charles. The twins’ father, Thomas Pleasance, passed away nearly a decade ago.