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Stuff Smith was born into a musical family, his father playing in an orchestra. At the age of 7, he received a violin from his parents, and by 15, he was already part of a music-hall troupe in which he played violin and danced (Aunt Jemina Revue). In 1930, he played with Jelly Roll Morton, but Morton had little interest in his fellow violinist, so the collaboration didn't last long. With Jonah Jones, he formed his first orchestra (1936-1940), featuring Cozy Cole. The band was a hit at New York's Onyx Club, not only for its music, but also for Smith's eccentricities, as on certain evenings he played with a monkey on his shoulder. At the time, he was the first musician to amplify his violin, but the band disbanded in 1940. After Fats Waller's death in 1943, Smith took over the management of his band. He recorded for Norman Granz in 1957, and came to Europe for the first time the following year with Jazz At The Philharmonic. Attracted by Europe, he returned in 1965, toured Scandinavia and died in Munich. A highly original character, Stuff Smith was endowed with a fine instrumental technique, a great deal of audacity and fantasy, but above all a flawless swing.
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