Stuff Smith

Innovative American Jazz Violinist and Swing Bandleader

Stuff Smith (born August 14, 1909, Portsmouth, Ohio, USA - died September 25, 1967, Munich, Germany) was an American jazz violinist. He began his career playing in Alphonso Trent's orchestra in Dallas, Texas in 1926. In 1928, he moved to New York City and played with Jelly Roll Morton. He formed his own band in 1930 with Cozy Cole and Jonah Jones in Buffalo, New York. In 1935 through to 1940, he and his sextet took up residency at the Onyx Club, a small club on 52nd Street, New York City and gained big success. After the Second World War, he opened a restaurant in Chicago. In 1957, he recorded with Dizzy Gillespie and embarked on a tour of Europe; part of the tour was cancelled due to ill health. In 1963, he played with Herb Ellis. He returned to Europe in 1965 and recorded several albums. He remained in Europe until he died and is buried in Klakring Cemetery, Copenhagen, Denmark.