Keith Smith

Trumpeter Keith Smith maintained an active presence in jazz long after the British trad revival that initially brought him notice, eventually directing ensembles that featured many of the same New Orleans masters who had first drawn him to the music. Middlesex, England, was his birthplace on March 19, 1940; although he trained for an engineering profession, a jazz collection belonging to his older brother captured his attention at age 15 and prompted him to purchase a used trumpet for seven pounds, after which he promptly enlisted in clarinetist Norrie Cox’s New Orleans-style revival group. A succession of amateur London outfits followed, among them the San Jacinto Jazz Band, the New Teao Brass Band that also included trombonist Chris Barber and trumpeter Ken Colyer, and the Fron-Zi-Me Jazz Band, until he turned professional in 1960 within the Mickey Ashman Ragtime Jazz Band.

Two years afterward he helped establish the Climax Jazz Band and appeared on its debut studio recording. His admiration for Crescent City trailblazers Louis Armstrong and Henry “Red” Allen prompted a 1964 journey to New Orleans, where he backed clarinetist George Lewis and resolved to remain in the United States permanently; to support himself he operated a pushcart selling traditional British fish and chips until local organized-crime figures demanded he depart within twenty-four hours. He opted to leave, first settling in California and then moving on to New York City.

Upon his return to London he drew on an array of overseas connections and, in 1966, organized the initial edition of Keith Smith’s American All-Stars, enlisting bassist George “Pops” Foster, trombonist Jimmy Archey, and trumpeter Alvin Alcorn for engagements across Europe and Canada. Between 1972 and 1975 he resided in Denmark and performed as a member of Papa Bue’s Viking Jazz Band. Back in Britain he launched Hefty Jazz, whose regular roster included trombonist George Chisholm and pianist Mick Pyne while also incorporating visiting American swing-era figures such as clarinetist Peanuts Hucko, pianist Nat Pierce, clarinetist Johnny Mince, and drummer Barrett Deems. In 1981 he was chosen to lead the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, an ensemble that contained five veterans of Satchmo’s own historic unit, and in 1984 he produced the Hoagy Carmichael tribute Stardust Road, which starred singer Georgie Fame. Hefty Jazz reached the United States in 1985, earning strong reviews for its performance at New York’s Eddie Condon’s club. Throughout the ensuing decade Smith concentrated on concert programs devoted to the music of Armstrong, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin; he spent his final period based in Germany. Shortly after returning to London he died of a heart attack on January 4, 2008.