Willie Smith 'the Lion' - Stride Piano Duets (CD)

Willie The Lion Smith in the 1920s was considered one of the big three of stride piano, along with James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. He was an influence on the young Duke Ellington. Because he remained active into the early '70s, Willie The Lion Smith was considered a living link to the glory days of early jazz. A major if underrated pianist, Don Ewell started leading his own trios in Baltimore in the mid-'30s; played during the New Orleans jazz revival (starting in the mid-'40s) and was with Jack Teagarden during 1957-1964. Ewell moved to New Orleans, where he worked regularly during his last years. This 1966 date, recorded live at the Golden Nugget in Toronto, features solo performances by Smith, Ewell and duets by the two.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Relaxin' - Willie The Lion Smith, Smith, William
2. Blue Skies - Willie The Lion Smith, Berlin, Irving
3. I Found a New Baby - Willie The Lion Smith, Williams
4. Tea for Two - Willie The Lion Smith, Youmans, Vincent
5. Charleston - Willie The Lion Smith, Johnson, James P
6. You're Driving Me Crazy - Willie The Lion Smith, Donaldson, Walter
7. Here Comes the Band - Willie The Lion Smith, Smith
8. Sweet Georgia Brown - Willie The Lion Smith, Pinkard, Maceo
9. Georgia on My Mind - Willie The Lion Smith, Carmichael
10. Linger Awhile/Shine - Willie The Lion Smith, Owens
11. If I Could Be with You - Willie The Lion Smith, Johnson
12. Just You, Just Me - Willie The Lion Smith, Greer, Jesse
13. Squeeze Me - Willie The Lion Smith, Waller, Fats
14. Twelfth Street Rag - Willie The Lion Smith, Bowman, Euday L