All about this artist
Biography:
Born 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. During the remainder of the 50s he was with the ill-fated Benny Goodman/Louis Armstrong all-star package, followed by James and May again, then he did film studio work while battling with a drink problem.
In the early 60s Smith worked in various minor show bands in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and, briefly, led his own band in New York. Before the arrival of Charlie Parker, Smith, along with Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges, was one of the three major alto saxophonists in jazz.
As a section leader he was outstanding, as almost any record by the Lunceford band will testify. As a soloist he had a sinuously beautiful tone, marked by a definitive hard edge that prevented him from ever slipping into sentimentality.
