American jazz trumpeter, bandleader and teacher.
Born May 20, 1931, in Memphis, Tennessee, Died August 20, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Cousin of trumpeter Booker Little.
He started playing trumpet at the age of thirteen and later played in his high school band. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Tennesse State Univeristy. His first appearance in New York was with the Tennessee State Collegians at a a Carnegie Hall concert. He continued his studies, doing postgraduate work at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Professor Clifford P. Lillya.
After being drafted in 1954 and completing his tour of service duty, he found his next job in 1955, at the Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and since that time he remained teaching music at that school while also progressing in his career.
While performing in Atlanta he was approached by record producer Tom Wilson, who urged him to make a demonstration disc to submit to Blue Note for consideration. He was quickly signed by Blue Note after they received it. The first LP, produced by Wilson, was released in 1958, Here Comes Louis Smith, included three Louis Smith originals. Numerous releases followed.
He became a tutor and band director at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and never stopped playing and recording.