Charlie Smith

Charlie Smith (April 15, 1927 in New York City – January 15, 1966 in New Haven), was an American jazz drummer.

Smith played locally in New York in the late 1940s before taking a position accompanying Ella Fitzgerald. He worked briefly with the Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1951 before being replaced by Louie Bellson, and also played with Joe Bushkin, Erroll Garner, Slim Gaillard, Benny Goodman, Hot Lips Page, Oscar Peterson, Artie Shaw, and Slam Stewart. He performed on television with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker in 1952, and later in the 1950s worked with Billy Taylor, Aaron Bell, and Wild Bill Davison. He relocated to New Haven around 1960, where he played with Willie Ruff and Dwike Mitchell in a trio setting. He also worked as an educator late in life.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 15, 1927 (New York City), Died January 15, 1966 (New Haven)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, leader

Notes: Leader of Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-06269 10-in. 3/2/1937 The capture of the Girl Pat Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra ; Bill Rogers ; Charlie Smith Re-recording : Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble leader  
Victor BS-06270 10-in. 3/2/1937 The return of Smithie Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra ; Bill Rogers ; Charlie Smith Re-recording : Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble leader  
Victor BS-06271 10-in. 3/2/1937 The hungry man Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra ; Bill Rogers ; Charlie Smith Re-recording : Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble leader  
Victor BS-06272 10-in. 3/2/1937 The rajah lost Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra ; Bill Rogers ; Charlie Smith Re-recording : Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble leader  
Victor BS-06273 10-in. 3/2/1937 Landlords and the rent Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra ; Bill Rogers ; Charlie Smith Re-recording : Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble leader  
Victor BS-06274 10-in. 3/2/1937 Bill Rogers in U.S.A. Demerara Lucky Strike Orchestra ; Bill Rogers ; Charlie Smith Re-recording : Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble leader  
Decca 76732 8/15/1950 I'll never be free Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76843 9/13/1950 Autumn leaves Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76844 9/13/1950 White Christmas Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76845 9/14/1950 Jingle bells Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76846 9/14/1950 Where or when Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76847 9/14/1950 Blue again Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102955 7/23/1957 Star dust The Ellingtonians ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102956 7/23/1957 Stormy weather The Ellingtonians ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103166 8/27/1957 Cherry The Ellingtonians ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103172 8/27/1957 Honeysuckle rose The Ellingtonians ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, drums  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Charlie," accessed April 24, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107251.

Smith, Charlie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107251.

"Smith, Charlie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107251

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