b. William McLeish Smith, 25 November 1910, Charleston, South Carolina, USA, d. 7 March 1967, Los Angeles, California, USA. Smith began playing clarinet while still at school, performing professionally in his mid-teens. While at Fisk University he met Jimmie Lunceford, joining him in an orchestra there that eventually became a full-time professional organization. By now playing alto saxophone, Smith became a key member of the Lunceford band, meticulously drilling the saxophone section into perfection. He was with Lunceford until 1942, shortly before entering the US Navy, where he directed a band. After the war he joined Harry James, bringing with him a level of commitment and dedication similar to that he had brought to Lunceford's band. He was with James until 1951, then played briefly with Duke Ellington and Billy May, then joined Jazz At The Philharmonic, touring internationally.

Listen to Willie Smith at Finetune.

• Tea for Two
• Not So Bop Blues
• Sophisticated Lady
• Echoes of Spring
• Morning Air

• Louis Prima
• Coleman Hawkins
• Charlie Parker
• Duke Ellington
• Louis Armstrong
• Stan Getz
• Art Pepper
• Sonny Rollins
• John Coltrane
• Miles Davis
• Wayne Shorter
• Betty Carter
• Tony Bennett
• Diana Krall
• Art Tatum
• Billie Holiday
• Mel Torme
• Lester Young
• Gerry Mulligan
• Brad Mehldau

• eddielin11