Willie The Lion Smith, master of Stride Piano (Radio)

A radio documentary about Willie the Lion Smith, the master of Stride Piano...

[@barrygordon5323]

I met Willie in 1973 ,in the hospital . It changed my life . And it was almost like a batism. 48 years later he's still a prime influence on my stride playing ..he was a great pianist and man .and so incredibly unique as a pianist.possible only Hines and Morton equeled him in this respect. And his general sound,James p Johnson and Willie had that same bass feel,I got that from them,don lambert was another one.but different.all great ..

[@tutentyp6934]

What about Fats? His almost classical touch and strong bass with 10ths littered all over the place with careful change between pedaling and staccato is also worth mentioning. I think no stride pianist was able to achieve his sound by using the bare minimum and careful embellishment as he did. He wasn't James favorite for no reason.

[@barrygordon5323]

@@tutentyp6934 fats was great no doubt about that,he was the most solid of the bunch and had the best rhythm,and very emotional,but James p was a brain,and it shows in his compositions and improvisations,,,he just had the most ideas,very very creative and mature,and that sets him apart,,truth is you could write books on how many really great players their were in the 20s and 30 s,look at zez confrey,or Roy Bargy or the great lucky Roberts,it's endless....

[@barrygordon5323]

Great documentary. I meet him once and it changed my life,,a very spiritual man ... you here that beat on the stride,,none better. The most unique pianist with hines and Morton,,,so great.

I envy you

[@StrideLatinProgRick]

Wow! :-) Great documentary on a truly great piano master. :-)

[@johnsmilowitz]

Love the sound of Stride piano, don't hear it much today only on recordings made from the 1920's to the 1940's . What a sound. The master of course Willie "The Lion" Smith. Today is only junk, nothing else.

[@chrisSkordPiano]

i agree

[@johnsmilowitz]

He also knew how to speak in Yiddish, since he had many Jewish friends through his lifetime.

[@chrisSkordPiano]

John Smilowitz I know love Jewish culture I am greek

[@johnsmilowitz]

@@chrisSkordPiano Thank you for the comment.

[@chrisSkordPiano]

John Smilowitz did you know him?

[@itsRemco]

Nice documentary man! I just uploaded Willie The Lion DVD documentary in its entirety maybe you're interested to see!

[@0nathancamp0s8]

Please upload more of the Lion’s tunes on your channel 😭 By the way it is because of your channel I discovered his music! Thank you

[@itsRemco]

@@0nathancamp0s8 Hey Nathan! I'm nowhere near done uploading his stuff! I'm going to make many with the Artificial Intelligence pianist as well!

[@SELMER1947]

A master

[@davidblanc458]

yes great I learned precious stuff from The Lion

[@chrisSkordPiano]

Dean Martin he is the best

[@romanggg3776]

Самый любимый в страйде

[@edouardschnall3567]

E x cellent

[@YosefEl75]

Us Moors created the " Classical "

[@emmetray9703]

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