Floyd Smith (musician)

Floyd Smith ( born January 25, 1917 in St. Louis, Missouri, † March 29, 1982 in Indianapolis ) was an American jazz guitarist, composer and record producer, who is considered one of the pioneers of the electrically amplified guitar in jazz.

Life and work

Smith, son of a drummer learned as a child first ukulele and began his musical career in territory bands like Eddie Johnson's Crackerjacks. In the 1930s he worked with Dewey Jackson and the Jeter - Pillars Orchestra, where he played for the first time when recording electric guitar. He then moved to New York where he appeared in Harlem Apollo Theater with the Sunset Royal Entertainers. From 1938 to 1942 he was a member of the band by Andy Kirk and was known for his recording of Floyd 's Guitar Blues (1939 ), where he used a Hawaiian guitar. During this period, recordings were made with Mildred Bailey and Mary Lou Williams.

After military service in World War II, he worked again with Kirk ( to 1946 ) and had his own trio in Chicago. Smith put in the 50's also some records under his own name before ( Floydnasty, Gloomy Evening ) as well as after Me and You and Yours, in which he was accompanied by Horace Henderson Orchestra. He also played with Wild Bill Davis, Chris Columbus and various orchestras in St. Louis; 1959 to 1964 he was with Bill Doggett on U.S. and European tours. End of the 60s he entered in Atlantic City in a duo with Hank Marr on, the early 70s, he was again in Europe and took on records with Al Grey, Buddy Tate and Wild Bill Davis. During this time he also worked as a music producer in Chicago had its own label and produced disco and gospel music, including Loleatta Holloway by, whom he later married.

Disco Graphical Notes

• Relaxin 'with Floyd - The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions (ed. 2002) Wild Bill Davis and Chris Columbus