Willie “The Lion” Smith was a jazz and stride pianist, rivalling James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and Clarence Williams in the latter style, who was nicknamed “The Lion” because of his bravery serving in the US Army in France in WWI. By 1910 he was already playing in New York clubs and played on his first recording session in 1920. He became a sought-after musician in small jazz groups in the late ‘20s and by the early’30s was leading his own band as well as recording solo sessions. A colourful figure with his ever-present cigar and pork pie hat, he was also a highly sophisticated pianist who influenced the likes of Duke Ellington. This great-value 100-track 4-CD set selects from his prolific output across a primary quarter-century era in his career, featuring recordings on the Columbia, Decca, Victor, Commodore, Brunswick, Black & White, Royal Jazz, Vogue and Blue Circle labels. It features recordings with early groups like The Gulf Coast Seven, The Georgia Strutters, Seven Gallon Jug Band and with bands led by Clarence Williams, Mezz Mezzrow, Sidney Bechet, Max Kaminsky, Milt Herth and Big Joe Turner, as well as his own bands, with performances alongside many of the top musicians of the day. It also includes many of his noted solo recordings. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable trawl across some great jazz recordings of the time, and a substantial showcase for his skills and style as a pianist, recording in a variety of musical settings.
