Hezekiah Leroy Gordon Smith (1909-1967)

Hezekiah Leroy Gordon Smith, best known as Stuff Smith was an American jazz violinist. Stuff Smith was one of the great jazz violinists of the swing era (along with Stephane Grappelli, Eddie South, Svend Asmussen, and Joe Venuti). During his career, Stuff Smith worked with several great jazz musicians including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Coleman Hawkins. Stuff Smith, like Louis Armstrong was a vocalist as well as an instrumentalist. It was Louis Armstrong who inspired and influenced Stuff Smith to play jazz.

One of the songs that Stuff Smith was well known for is “You’se A Viper.” Here is a recording of that song with Stuff Smith singing and playing the violin. Enjoy!