Willie the Lion Smith

 

Willie the Lion Smith

William Henry Joseph Berthol Bonaparte Bertholoff AKA Willie the Lion Smith...
A founding father of Harlem Stride piano who combined elements of ragtime, barrelhouse, and classical concert piano technique and had some influence on future jazz pianists including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Thelonious Monk.
Had some sessions with Mamie Smith and worked as a sideman with Sydney Bechet, Johnny Hodges  or Benny Carter.
That picture left me a funny feeling, the man at the piano in an empty barroom...just playing for himself or is the audience gone?
Looking at it the song Echoes of Spring sounds a bit nostalgic... isn't it?

 

Listen to: Echoes of Spring