4 performances by Willie "The Lion" Smith, November 29, 1965

[@JacquelineButterfield]

My Dad, Erskine Butterfield, was a protégé of Willie The Lion Smith-he gave my father the name "The Little Lion"! When I was a very little girl...early 1960's, Dad introduced me and twin sister to Mr. Smith. I distinctly remember the hat, the glasses, the cigar. I did not know what an icon he was until I was an adult, many years after Dad had passed away! Dad also played "Tea for Two" on his piano for his twin daughters! Awesome memories!

[@barrygordon5323]

Great stuff, especially shine at the end,and the Carolina shout ..and tea for to,consider to he was 73 when this film was made and still playing great. I was blessed to. Have met him in 1973 two weeks or so before he passed on,he was an incredibly spiritual man ,who could transmit more with his eyes the most words can convey,for me it was a baptism.. what a great artist and man .and a great influence,.

[@SugarBearMosher]

A baptism...what a wonderful way to put it

[@patriciaducentsolly]

Tell us more about him please. I am a new fan. I wish to add this excellent man to my musical discourse And bring further awareness to fellow appreciators.

[@dylan-kerry]

Great performances! I really do love his style.

[@quintinfranklin9168]

MR. WILLIE "THE LION" SMITH, LOVE YOU SIR! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

[@maurizioghezzer4302]

Stile elegantissimo!

[@roberthess3405]

This is one of those times when the old cliche "They don't make'm like that anymore" seems very appropriate. What a unique artist and individual. He changed the course of music history.

[@Politaris1134]

No way! I didn't know this footage even existed. I believe I only saw a small clip of this concert. Thanks for uploading this.

[@afpseb4582]

Always check for foreign stuffs the happiness will knock at your door👍

[@melimoa]

Beautiful way of playing. Relaxed and full of music.

[@itsRemco]

WOWWWWW

[@jamreport6981]

REMCOO

[@Laurenzatto54]

Fabulous musician

[@pederlong1784]

Such a beautiful style

[@garklein8089]

This is GREAT! Thanks for sharing!

[@SugarBearMosher]

Thanks dad

[@bluenoteflat]

❤Gorgeous

[@nickarteaga175]

It's weird to see Smith acknowledge Memphis Slim, as they're about as different musicians as can be, but I guess they were both in Paris at the same time so must have known each other.

[@patriciaducentsolly]

I am a jazz singer. This is fantastic. Think ill study this master piece and use it daily as vocal scale practice. This piece itches my ears when i focus on the harmonics and tones. Quite a task to ajust vocally but an exciting challenge. Yet a new musical awareness Which broadens my own approach to musical creation. Thanku for sharing. More please 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@alexandrekuzmanovic4607]

3 Years after Cortot passed away ... I would have loved to see those two piano giants meet there !

[@BrunoEspo]

The mumbling growl under his breath is a beautiful accompaniment. Joseph Spence did something similar

[@SugarBearMosher]

@@BrunoEspo bud Powell also 💚

[@GDsJazz]

That song between "Honeysuckle Rose" and "When smoke gets in your eyes" is called "What is there to say?"

[@FoxieGrandma]

Thanks for posting these.....what a treat!!! 😂

[@philippevinot4798]

Bonjour, et merci pour cette vidéo. N'étant pas musicien, je suis faciné par la facilité de mettre l'ambiance de ces Artistes. Comme Bechet, Waller, Johnson etc.. ils avaient quelque chose à dire au travers de leurs morceaux !!

[@Laurenzatto54]

Maintenant ils ont des techniques fabuleuses mais plus rien à dire...

[@philippevinot4798]

@@Laurenzatto54 c'est un peu l'idée 😊

[@savlecz1187]

Oh man, this is a treat! Thank you for this! Hope this stays up forever so I keep revisiting it

[@IberianInteractive]

DUDE this is gold thank you so much

[@gianmariadipaolo9668]

The best

[@PiotrBarcz]

I think I found an earlier upload of this because I remember the title was different, not only that, the video was in 480p resolution not Full HD.

[@waldolydecker8118]

36:10 Song preceding "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is "What is There to Say" not "HoneySuckle Rose"

[@SugarBearMosher]

Between the 2 is What is there to say, thats it! Thanks for the ID.

[@waldolydecker8118]

@@SugarBearMosher - You got it....edit your set list if you can. Thanks.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

RE: "Zig Zag" at 48:25: This tune seems like a Bop tune at the beginning. Which makes sense, since the Lion was friends with Thelonious Monk.

[@johnwoodward4175]

reminds me of Thelonious

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

The way he purposely turns the time around by dropping beats and then getting back into the pocket was always one of the hippest things I’ve heard ANY jazz musician do …

[@SugarBearMosher]

He was an OG , i plan to get "Lion" tattoed on my left pinky finger so when I play, zi see him. "Lamb" on the ring finger because i use my ring when i play fast stride. Then "Eubie" on the middle finger, just to keep them consecutive.

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

amazing !@@SugarBearMosher

[@papap-o4u]

maybe it's time for me to start smoking cigars

[@afpseb4582]

These sort of man would be today banned accused to be racist in France as they dare to play national'anthem. Great music from great people👍😎

[@SachaPerry-r5l]

Public service