Anton Walter Smetak (Zurich, Switzerland, 13 February 1913 – Salvador, Brazil, 30 May 1984) was a Swiss-born musician, composer, writer, sculptor and producer of musical instruments.

[1][2][3] Walter Smetak was born in Zurich of Czech origin and migrated to Brazil in 1937.

He was a professor of composition at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) School of Music from 1957 to 1984.

Relatively unknown, he is considered a forerunner and early influence on the musicians and artists who would form the core of Tropicalia, such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé and Torquato Neto.

Deeply involved in the Brazilian music scene of the 1960s and 1970s, Smetak collaborated with Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé, Uakti and others.