I’m so used to writing about musicians of the past that when dealing with one from the present I am given pause. I try to be especially mindful about intruding on someone else’s privacy, particularly when it concerns a medical matter. But this was posted on social media over a week ago, by the subject himself, so it’s had plenty of time to circulate.

Kile Smith is a hell of a nice guy. He’s generous, he’s insightful, he’s clever, he’s funny, and he’s real. And he’s so damn talented – as a composer, a writer, a photographer, and probably a lot else I don’t even know about.

Of course, he also has a great voice. Those of you who’ve listened to Philadelphia’s WRTI surely remember him as the founding host of “Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection,” which eventually he spun off into a podcast. Whenever he covered a live air shift, it always made my day. I am wishing him a speedy recovery, and I know you are too.

To add insult to injury, I missed his birthday on Sunday!