US bassist, songwriter and producer from Chicago, born on Nov. 23, 1923 in Bolivar County, Mississippi. He started his career in the mid 1940s. Worked with Jimmy Reed, ran his own label [l225612] and produced many records for [l55827]. (BMI IPI#: 28970949) For the Australian engineer, see Al Smith. For the US engineer active in Memphis, TN, see Al Smith. For the jazz singer, see Al Smith. For the gospel singer, see Alfred B. Smith