Willie "The Lion" (2004) [Rare Ragtime / Early Jazz Piano / Stride Piano Documentary] by Marc Fields

Willie "The Lion" DVD written, produced and directed by Marc Fields. Narrated by Joe Morton.
This is a rare documentary I came across and decided to upload. I do NOT own the rights to this and tbh I'm not sure if this will get deleted or anything.
Several parts of max 30 seconds of this documentary are uploaded by several people on KZbin but not the documentary in its entirety.
Even if you don't like Willie "The Lion" Smith, in this documentary multiple people give their opinion on Willie and the jazz from that era.
Enjoy!
Wikipedia:
William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholf Smith, also known as "The Lion", was an American jazz pianist and one of the masters of the stride style, usually grouped with James P. Johnson and Thomas "Fats" Waller as the three greatest practitioners of the genre in its golden age, from about 1920 to 1943.
By the early 1910s he was playing in New York City and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Smith served in World War I, where he saw action in France, and played drum with the African-American regimental band led by Tim Brymn. He also played basketball with the regimental team.
Legend has it that his nickname "The Lion" came from his reported bravery while serving as a heavy artillery gunner. He was a decorated veteran of the 350th Field Artillery, a regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers.
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#williethelionsmith #jazzdocumentary #stridepianodocumentary #stride #jazzpiano #jazz #earlyjazz #documentary #williesmith #pianodocumentary #jazzhistory #stridedocumentary #fatswaller #stridepiano #williethelionsmithdocumentary

[@jasonbeard4713]

In late March of 1969, BOTH Dr. Taylor and Mr. Smith appeared as very special guests during Jazz Week on Captain Kangaroo. A few color photos and a 20 minute color tape segment exists in, I believe, UCLA. What a shame that the tape couldn't have been obtained for this documentary. Was it even considered for use?

[@itsRemco]

That would be a question for Marc Fields, the guy who directed this documentary

[@jasonbeard4713]

@@itsRemco If I only had his contact information.

[@itsRemco]

@@jasonbeard4713 I actually looked for some info as well and found this email: [e-mail] He actually responds!

[@jasonbeard4713]

@@itsRemco Thank you. I will contact him.

[@itsRemco]

@@jasonbeard4713 Heard anything back?

[@KayBenyarko]

Thanks for this gem

[@ricardomendoza3685]

I can sleep with a smile on my face after having watched this♡ Thank you so much for sharing this documentary on one of the Masters!!!

[@itsRemco]

Im glad you found it! 😁

[@williamhenderson5915]

That was awesome and a very educational film study of those great players. It just shows you how great music has been played in this country in every style in the eras of time . No wonder Art Tatum played as he did- look at the beautiful sources as his influences. This documentary is at the top of my list. Great job!!!

[@itsRemco]

Thanks! I'm glad you've watched it 😁 It's a treasure indeed and gives so much insight in the development

[@amusicment4829]

Mind blown… this video is a treasure chest of musical history. Thank you.

[@itsRemco]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you liked it! 😁

[@Clipper_Dames]

There's the old saying that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, but in the case of The Lion I think it's fair to say that the omission of his works from repertoires because they are too difficult for most to replicate, is much more flattering.

[@itsRemco]

It's really fascinating that so many jazz pianists have their unique style and techniques If I compare my Willie The Lion Smith uploads to Fats Waller they have significantly lesser views. I always wonder why

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Ah, very enjoyable. I had no idea there existed so much footage and recorded interviews.

[@robertmoye7565]

Great documentary.

[@valkasolidor6727]

I appreciate that this was shared. The footage including Pee Wee Russell, Jimmy McPartland et al was a treat that I didn't know existed! I got to work for a couple of weeks with Jimmy McPartland in a fine combo. I guess he was about 70 then. Jimmy played great and was a swell guy, though I perceived a bit of memory issues. I thought he probably wouldn't be on the scene much longer, but nearly ten years later I heard him on a live NYC session and going strong! Now I'm the guy with a bit of memory issues lol.

[@brucekuehn4031]

Billy Taylor - how we could use him now! But at least he can still educate us from what was recorded. Born in 1921, he was kind of a bridge and a true student of Jazz. He loved sharing this knowledge as a spokesman and educator. He passed on in 2010 at age 89.

[@itsRemco]

Rare Eubie Blake clip playing "Swanee River": 22:24 My Willie "The Lion" Smith Piano Synthesia playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLL-3HQ9MkfjS80Y0TBx2lr4zCwcH_jvTY Musicians about each other: 12:58: Willie "The Lion" Smith about James P. Johnson 13:50 / 34:22 & 34:47: Willie "The Lion" Smith about Jelly Roll Morton 28:02: Willie "The Lion" Smith about Thomas "Fats" Waller 29:44: Willie "The Lion" Smith about Duke Ellington 41:55: Dick Hyman about Willie "The Lion" Smith 00:35: Duke Ellington about Willie "The Lion" Smith 01:29 & 40:25: Billy Taylor about Willie "The Lion" Smith 02:27: Artie Shaw about Willie "The Lion" Smith 05:01: Amiri Baraka about Willie "The Lion" Smith 05:14 & 41:35: Brooks Kerr about Willie "The Lion" Smith (He was one of his students) 15:04 & 52:30: Jean Bach about Willie "The Lion" Smith (she's the producer of a "Great Day in Harlem") 15:25 / 41:16 / 46:37 & 51:42: Mike Lipskin about Willie "The Lion" Smith (He was one of his students) 28:57: Billy Taylor about inspiration of Stride Willie's Techniques Music timestamps down below 👇🏽: 00:35 & 12:13: James P. Johnson - Carolina Shout Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZi6fXmifqppjZI 02:44: Willie "The Lion Smith" - St. Louis Blues 03:29: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Sneakaway 04:20: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Rippling Waters Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apLOlJ6snJeUq9U 05:25 & 36:00 & 54:50: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Echoes of Spring Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWi7k2lnnJWAjqM 06:31: 07:08: 07:43: 08:12: Jimmy Blythe - Regal Stomp a.k.a. Bow To Your Papa 09:04: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Naga Bustle 10:23: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Don't You Hit That Lady Dressed In Green 11:38: Charles Luckey Roberts - Pork and Beans 13:53 - Jelly Roll Morton - The Pearls Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpXTn2B4icl0iKs 16:12: Jelly Roll Morton - Shreveport Stomp Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mancqGBrbtB9osU 17:04: Eubie Blake - Charleston Rag Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6W9dImLbcaSgqc 17:48: Willie "The Lion Smith" - Maple Leaf Rag 19:14: Dick Hyman - Maple Leaf Rag 26:06: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Harlem Joys 26:50: Eubie Blake - I'm Just Wild About Harry Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKetdIiJoLR8isk 28:02: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Squeeze Me 30:46: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Passionette Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noPMZaKYf86hoLM 31:29: Willie "The Lion" Smith - There's Gonna Be a Devil To Play 32:37: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Fingerbuster Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJfYgJJnqsmKqs0 34:34: Jelly Roll Morton - Fingerbreaker Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaCxkpJsfpmKars 37:22 & 40:08: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Morning Air Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4TWlaCOmth4la8 38:08: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Polonaise 38:29: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Fading Stars Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIjSqXWsiLefq5o 39:00: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Rippling Waters Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfTdqiaqb6ssNU 41:16: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Contrary Motion 41:56: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Concentratin' 42:35: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Tea For Two Synthesia video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqCXm3pse8t7obc 47:22: Willie "The Lion" Smith - Zig Zag 52:26: Willie "The Lion" Smith -

[@simonjager9259]

Good Job With The Time Stamps

[@DaughterOfChrist1997]

awesome, thanks

[@andrewbarrett1537]

8:12 is the piano roll of "Regal Stomp" also known as "Bow to Your Papa", which is a duet by Jimmy Blythe and his nephew, Charlie Clark, that they made for the Capitol Music Roll Co. of Chicago in 1931, shortly before Mr. Blythe passed away. The recording is the late Mike Montgomery pumping a recut of the roll on his Steinway 65/88-note upright player piano, issued on the Biograph Records CD "Greatest Ragtime of the Century". The original 88-note home version of this roll (if one was ever issued) has never been found. The only version with which we know this is from the 10-tune "A" coin piano roll version which Capitol issued without composer or artist credits. These are abbreviated versions of the full arrangements in scale and sometimes in length (number of choruses). A rolls only play 58 notes, from C to A in the middle of the piano, which is why there are no really high and really low notes heard in this roll, although they play them in the audio recording. Someone did an early pneumatic recut of the "A" roll and also made 88-note editions of all 10 tunes. It might have been Richard Riley on his "Jazz Classics" roll label but I'm not sure. But anyway that's the recut roll that is heard in this recording: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHvTfGCgntd9eZo

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Here's the piano duet James Blythe and Charles Clark made of "Bow to Your Papa" (how it is titled on the Paramount 78 record; on the roll it is called "Regal Stomp", although I think another roll issue exists with the title "Bow to Your Papa"). This was made in 1931. It is believed that James Blythe is playing the bass end of the piano, and Charles Clark is playing the treble end (i. e. the lead): kzbin.info/www/bejne/joOpc6Z9gN1nsLM

[@itsRemco]

@@andrewbarrett1537 THANKS BRO

[@FWBull66]

Willie “The Lion” Smith send in an apartment building 300 E. 151st St.,. Between eighth Avenue and Bradhurst Avenue. I live at 304. As a child are used to pick up uncle Willie’s Groceries at the Dunbar and his bottle of scotch at the bar on the corner of 150th St. and eighth Avenue. I would deliver them to his six floor apartment. And he would offer me a silver coin I would waive it off. And point to the piano and say tickle the ivories for me uncle Willie.

[@itsRemco]

Man that must've been so cool to have met him!

[@inkognito8400]

I always felt that Tatum, The Lion, James P and Waller were equally great.Just listen, all have a clear and distinct sound.

[@Downecker]

Bingo! You said it. "Equally great". I never liked comparing the stride piano artists. "Who's better"? is a dumb question. Everyone from Tatum, Lambert, and all the greats are enjoyable because they bring their own style to the piano. That's what I love. What a time to be there when the greats were in their prime!!

[@oriraykai3610]

Than you know nothing about Tatum.

[@inkognito8400]

@@oriraykai3610 What a bemusing comment.

[@richardpentelow5111]

@@oriraykai3610 correct. Tatum was a genius. Beyond all thought.

[@robertneden32]

@@Downecker🎉

[@jazzatnoonmke659]

Just great!! Erstwhile Milwaukee piano genius Jon Weber travels the world displaying the repertoire of all these greats. He is truly something to behold

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I met and heard Jon Weber III in NYC at one of the active jazz clubs there in August 2016 (Mona's?). Friend Charlie Judkins was my host / chaperone on this visit, and Gordon Au was leading the band that night, playing trumpet and singing. Jon Weber was on the piano and we got to play a lil bit. He played very well and blew me away, since the only other thing I had ever heard about him previously in the ragtime community was Jack Rummel's online review of Mr. Weber's CD of Blind Boone compositions and arrangements. I didn't know he was such a fine jazz pianist or could play in all these different contexts. The piano in that club was a fine Sohmer upright that was fairly decently maintained as I recall. I did not play nearly as well as I wanted to that night; I was very tired, out of practice, and quite intimidated by New York. That place moves very fast and you need a different mindset to exist there. Although I was born there I hadn't been back since I was a very young person. So I am not sure I made any impression at all on whoever was left to listen. But it was neat to see the younger trad jazz 'scene' for that one night.

[@none5020]

Wow, this is awesome.

[@shrinkprof]

I heard the The Lion and fellow pianist Claude Hopkins perform together (two pianos) at Harvard University in the late 1960s. Smith would shout out "Come on, youngster!" and the like in exhortation of his junior colleague. What a night! (Hopkins was no slouch when it came to stride.)

[@calvinhuber5779]

You Have HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK AGAIN!!! LOL!! Thank you sooo much for this !! I just texted a friend (guitar player interested in stride ) about this !! I think Fats is more well known popularly than the Lion or ..my personal fav James Price Johnson But this Doc just nails the whole era better than anything Ive ever seen!! Kudos again EPM!!!

[@itsRemco]

Glad you like it bro 😁

[@nancye7520]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[@itsRemco]

Glad you watched it! 😁

[@barrygordon5323]

He was a great genius,and so unique.i idolized him 50 years ago and still do .meeting him was tops .him and j p Johnson had a bass sound different from most stride guys.they really knew how to play. Off their left hand.something I grabbed off them.playing off the bass like that takes a great left hand and rhythm.even some top players don't get that.

[@itsRemco]

You're SO lucky to have met him!

[@wayneconn1079]

Nobody like Willie the lion . Love and respect him always . The world is a sadder place without him

[@Toracube]

A beautiful tribute.

[@barbaraeffros4804]

Thanks a million! What a scoop!

[@itsRemco]

Glad you've found it! 😁

[@roarythunderbird]

wow.... this is incredible! Greatly appreciate it

[@phillcollinsjazzpiano]

Brilliant loved this and thanks for posting. Wow.

[@itsRemco]

My pleasure!

[@dubidolczektv5278]

This is so brilliant, a real treasure! First thing I did with my pot of coffee this morning was to watch this and man, I can't remember the last time I felt so uplifted. Thankyou for putting it up, I sure hope it doesn't get deleted.. It perhaps tops those Ken Burns documentaries for depth and detail in my opinion.. or at least it's up there. All the best to all you music lovers x

[@itsRemco]

Thanks for the kind words 😁 I hope you it doesn't get deleted too I've uploaded the Scott Joplin documentary too btw: The Scott Joplin Documentary by Rudi Blesh 1977 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWGniYOGa9J9na8

[@dubidolczektv5278]

@@itsRemco Thanks! I'll check it out :)

[@markmurray9425]

Thanks for uploading this.

[@PabluchoViision]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@chrisSkordPiano]

amazing was always looking for this thanks for uploading

[@doobeedoo2]

This story is mind-blowing.

[@itsRemco]

Right? Such a story 🔥

[@TheLemon333]

Thanks for posting!

[@SeanStanley1986]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[@itsRemco]

Glad you like it! 😁

[@andrewbarrett1537]

At 13:05, we learn an extremely important thing about James P. Johnson: he used to go around to the "ghettoes" aka the "places were guys weren't doing so well". This must be where he learned a lot of his excellent blues piano!!!

[@Remi-B-Goode]

Thank you itsRemco for sharing that documentary !

[@itsRemco]

Glad you liked and watched it! 😁

[@garnerjazz58]

Excellent!

[@jakemcaleer1752]

Oh what I never saw you posted this 😯👍🏼

[@itsRemco]

I'm lucky you've found it!

[@jakemcaleer1752]

exoticpianoman how long have you been a fan of stride?

[@itsRemco]

I discovered Stride Piano when I was 14,so 10 years by now

[@jakemcaleer1752]

exoticpianoman nice, that’s a pretty long time. Looks like we are the same age as well

[@skierpage]

Great to learn more about the incomparable Art Tatum's influences. I love Willie's thoughtful études in the 1930-1950 section, so different to his normal insistent playing. Tatum's genius was to quote something like that in the middle of a run without stopping. Is the full Smith/Duke/Dr. Taylor summit on the 1970 David Frost TV show at 42:58 available anywhere?

[@itsRemco]

Thanks! No I couldn't find the full episode 😭 I think you would have to. Buy it from the broadcast network that aired it

[@BoWadeOnDrums]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@itsRemco]

Anytime! 😁

[@rodluther982]

Great documentary! Thanks for uploading. Does anyone know where I can find printed music for Willie the Lion’s compositions?

[@itsRemco]

Thanks! You can go to blueblackjazz.com 👌🏾

[@Chilumedia]

I will share this

[@mariuszbolimowski8517]

❤❤❤❤

[@davidmoran5431]

cantor !

[@borrd214]

How do you get this dvds

[@andrewbarrett1537]

WHAT is the silent film clip we see at 10:32? I'm REALLY curious who this is, where, what year, etc etc and I would LOVE to learn to dance like that :D

[@itsRemco]

Yeah I have no idea bro, would love to know that as well

[@matthewmurdock7246]

Please someone tell me what song is playing from 28:03-28:38…it is so good!

[@itsRemco]

The title is Squeeze Me. Good luck :)

[@patoni860]

Noble sissle has a grandson that lives in Atlanta Georgia and believe it or not he is not even fifty years

[@mjsmcd]

How did he learn

[@andrewbarrett1537]

WHOSE record of "Pork and Beans" do we hear at 11:38?!? Is that Willie the Lion? It sounds like him! I'd love to hear the full recording!!! Is it anywhere online?

[@itsRemco]

I searched for it, no luck :(

[@itsRemco]

This documentary must be soooo nice for you to watch 😁

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I actually saw it on PBS many years ago; but it’s great to see it again!!!

[@moldyoldie7888]

How about Mike Lipskin? He's in the ending credits as the player.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

@@moldyoldie7888 I will ask Mike about this. That's a good possibility, since it sounds recorded on a 1980s-90s electric piano and not an acoustic piano, which would rule out a 1920s-70s recording by an earlier-generation legend. It also seems to be a modern recording. There _were_ some electronic pianos available from the late 1930s to the 1970s, but there seem to have been few models and they were mostly electromechanical, i. e. having a physical piano action with hammers either hitting piano strings, tuned metal tuning forks / tines, or plucking metal reeds. So, the Story & Clark StoryTone Piano; the Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes electric pianos, and a few 1970s models of Baldwin piano, are all examples of these, and this doesn't sound like any of those, which have characteristic tone-colors. I am not sure that totally-synthesized electronic pianos were able to get anything approaching a true 'piano' sound until at least the 1980s.

[@MightyYoungSir]

you cant depend on new agers to publicize these kinds of stories

[@itsRemco]

I kinda agree, however I'm not some old boomer yet tho 🤣

[@MightyYoungSir]

@@itsRemco i see what u did thur

[@patoni860]

You forgot all about with Jim Europe marched through Paris France. And you did not mention Noble sissle at

[@itsRemco]

I did not make the documentary bro

[@vojtechprochazka]

22:25 any info on who this fellow is?

[@vojtechprochazka]

Oh, never mind me, it's Eubie Blake himself!

[@KINIONBEATS]

anyone know the tune during the opening credits? 5:45

[@itsRemco]

Willie "The Lion" Smith - Echoes of Spring

[@KINIONBEATS]

@@itsRemco thanks it's pretty amazing- blues w romantic elements

[@musical_lolu4811]

38:20 which polonaise is that?

[@itsRemco]

The title is literally "Polonaise", He made his version from Chopin's version 😁

[@amyloid-hn3fc]

"Military polonaise"

[@billkelly8222]

Op. 40 No. 1 A major -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/npPRpqGbrc2fjq8

[@rdwnmusic6912]

12:01 I'm sorry, his hands could stretch a 14th? How in the...

[@itsRemco]

Rachmaninoff too 😁 Those aren't hands anymore, those are claws 😂

[@Allan_Kusk]

Test

[@itsRemco]

Confirmed.

[@bill3837]

i thought the ragtimeish was good too

[@stillme9171]

Born in Goshen,NY in 1899