Willie "The Lion" Smith - The Chronological Classics: Willie "The Lion" Smith 1925-1937 (1937)

"Breeze (Blow My Baby Back to Me)" by Willie "The Lion" Smith & His Cubs


Mamie Smith was the first African-American to record a blues song.  The accompaniment on those first blues recordings was the stride pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith (still no relation... none of the Smiths are related).  After starting his career as a session musician and rent party professional, The Lion, after a while, grew to be a successful band leader.  His first recordings are collected on The Chronological Classics: Willie "The Lion" Smith 1925-1937.

Here is the discography surrounding Willie "The Lion" Smith's debut recordings:

The Chronological Classics: Willie "The Lion" Smith 1925-1937

"Finger Buster" by Willie "The Lion" Smith


"There's Gonna Be the Devil to Pay" by Willie "The Lion" Smith & His Cubs


"The Old Stamping Ground" by Willie "The Lion" Smith & His Cubs


Pass the Headphones!!