The legendary Louis Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 20, 1931 and although felled by a stroke and not able to play anymore is still alive and teaching select students. Smith burst upon the New York scene in the late 50's and made two classic albums for Blue Note Records that were for years collector's items. When Blue Note released the newly discovered "Horace Silver Quintet Live at Newport 1958" with Louis Smith in the band, he replaced Art Farmer and was replaced by Blue Mitchell. The Horace Silver recording won all kinds of awards and once again put Louis Smith on the map. Smith's second and final recording for Blue Note called 'Smithville' is the Feature tonight. Mr. Smith picked a great band for this recording with Charlie Rouse(pre-Monk) on tenor saxophone, the legendary Sonny Clark on piano and the ideal rhythm section of Paul Chambers on bass and Arthur Taylor on drums. Smith plays originals and standards on this fine date which reflects the high artistic levels of Blue Note recordings from the late 50's.

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