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Listen here:

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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

  • Father was an amateur boxer and musician.

  • Got his start playing with Alphonso Trent in Dallas, Texas.

  • Got the idea for amplified violin playing with Jelly Roll Morton.

  • Moved to Buffalo, New York and got a regular gig at the Onyx Club.

  • Wrote I'se a Muggin' which earned him international acclaim.

  • Played with Fats Waller and briefly took over Waller's band after Waller's death. 

  • Recorded with Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie 1957.

  • 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

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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

Dizzy_Gillespie_and_Stuff_Smith.jpg

Verve MGV 8214

Music featured in episode:

You can purchase James' album, Evidencia on platforms everywhere. Check out his performance schedule on his website: 

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