School of Syncopation - Jazz, Stride, Novelties & the Like

[struwwelpeter]

This was triggered by a mention of Willie The Lion Smith earlier on. Does anyone have his lovely 'Morning Air'?

[fhimpsl]

Hello Struwwelpeter and all syncopation/stride afficionados,

Your mention of Willie "The Lion" Smith's composition "Morning Air" prompted me to check out my files. The good news is that I know it was published by Robbins in a multi-tune instrumental folio entitled "Willie Smith's Modern Piano Solos." The bad news is that even though I remember the sheet down to the cover art, and I know that I have had it for a very long time, checking for the physical copy today proved fruitless. It's not in my Willie Smith folder, so now it's in the needle-in-the haystack category. We'll have to wait until another collector who can actually put his hands on this folio comes forward with a scan, unfortunately.

However, since I pulled out the Willie Smith folder today (and in celebration of my purchase of a new scanner), I will post all the Willie The Lion piano solos I have. The first posted will be scanned from original sheets, then later on I'll scan those I copied at the Library of Congress.

Here goes...enjoy!

Frank

Smith, Willie The Lion - Concentratin'.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Conversation On Park Avenue.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Echo Of Spring.pdf

[fhimpsl]

Some more Willie "The Lion" Smith piano solos..... Does everyone know that Willie received his nickname "The Lion" on account of his legendary bravery on the WWI battlefields? I had the good fortune of meeting him in the late 60s or early 70s. What a crusty, foul-mouthed old curmudgeon he was; but he played JPJ's "Carolina Shout" so effortlessly, never losing the light on the cigar in his mouth.

Smith, Willie The Lion - Fading Star.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Fussin'.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - In The Groove.pdf

[fhimpsl]

More Willie "The Lion"....

Smith, Willie The Lion - Karnival On The Keys.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Keep Fingering.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Piano Marmalade.pdf

[fhimpsl]

..and the rest of the Willie piano solos for this evening...

Enjoy, everyone!

Smith, Willie The Lion - Riffin'.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Sneak Away.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Tango A La Caprice.pdf

[tobyjj]

Life is full of co-incidences! 2 days ago, I was looking for my copy of WTLS's "Echoes of Spring", but couldn't find it. Then I saw the post requesting his "Song of Morning" and looked again. I found my WLTS folder, (on a disc) but not the Echoes of Spring or the requested piece. Now I see Frank's uploads and there it is - Echoes of Spring - and a much better scan than mine ever was. Thank you Frank - Keep 'em coming, please.

So pleased am I, that I feel prompted to upload the following collection - not of Willy TL Smith's work, but of Dick Hyman's - purely from the academic perspective of illustrating an example of his versatile styles and to query why none of the pieces were dedicated to WTLS !
Regards,
Toby

Hyman, Dick. Hyman - 15 Jazz Etüden.pdf

[tobyjj]

More on topic perhaps is the following transcription.

Willy The Lion Smith (Trans.) - Relaxin.pdf

nms ttos

regards,
Toby

[fhimpsl]

Hi tobyjj and everyone,

Glad you liked the Willie Smith piano solos. Here is a folio of his compositions which was published by Clarence Williams originally. I don't think that any of the pieces contained in this folio were ever originally published as separate, single sheets. Tobyjj - you'll note that the first piece is a SONG version of "Echo of Spring." Yes, life plays funny tricks on us sometimes.

Enjoy!

Frank

Smith, Willie The Lion - Willie Smith's Piano Solo Folio - part 1.pdf

Smith, Willie The Lion - Willie Smith's Piano Solo Folio - part 2.pdf

[struwwelpeter]

Thansk for all these marvellous pieces, Frank!

[Babaco]

Frank, you beat me to it! I was just about to ask about the Fingerbuster. Thank you so much for all this incredible music!

Best,
Curtis