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"“When you hear him play, you can’t sit still—it swings so hard,”
~Violinist Regina Carter
"Jazzin Paganini"
~Timme Rosenkrantz, critic
Stuff Smith
& James Sanders
b. August 14th, 1909 Portsmouth, Ohio
d. September 25th, 1967 Munich, Bavaria
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Father was an amateur boxer and musician.
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Got his start playing with Alphonso Trent in Dallas, Texas.
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Got the idea for amplified violin playing with Jelly Roll Morton.
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Moved to Buffalo, New York and got a regular gig at the Onyx Club.
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Wrote I'se a Muggin' which earned him international acclaim.
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Played with Fats Waller and briefly took over Waller's band after Waller's death.
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Recorded with Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie 1957.
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Moved to Denmark in 1965.
"Contemporary violin players have been influenced by Stuff Smith and Eddie South more than they realize. These two artists have not gotten the credit they deserve. "
~Billy Taylor, pianist
After You've Gone/
You's a Viper
Recorded 1936
Stuff Smith violin
Jonas Jones trumpet
Cozy Cole drums
Vocalion 3201
After Midnight
Recorded 1956
Nat Cole piano and vocals
Stuff Smith violin
John Collins guitar
Charlie Harris bass
Lee Young drums
Willie Smith alto saxophone
Juan Tizol trombone
Jack Costanzo bongos
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Capitol Records W-782
Dizzy Gillespie + Stuff Smith
recorded 1957
Dizzy Gillespie trumpet
Stuff Smith violin
Wynton Kelly piano
Paul West bass
J.C. Heard drums
Verve MGV 8214
Music featured in episode:
You can purchase James' album, Evidencia on platforms everywhere. Check out his performance schedule on his website: