I really don't know much about Smith, except that he was one of the first swing/jazz violinists, along with Stephane Grappelli and Eddie South. I first heard him on a double set (on the Verve label) with Dizzie Gillespie and Oscar Peterson, and just couldn't get enough of that attack (you have to hear it to believe it). I particularly recommend the Verve collection, both as good music and as a good value (it's a two disc set for little more than a single disk).

Rumor has it he was also the first person to put a pickup on a violin. Can anyone confirm?

Stand By Blues (.AIFF format, 462K, 40 second clip) from Hot Violins

"Stand By Blues" copyright © Stuff Smith

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http://www.fantasyjazz.com/ojc881.html
http://www-hrm1.vpad.uab.edu/saturn/disc_A.htm
http://www.jerseyvirtual.net/pastperfect/noteshtml/smallnotes.html

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STUFF SMITH/DIZZY GILLESPIE/OSCAR PETERSON
LIVE AT THE MONTMARTRE (1965)
HOT VIOLINS (1991) (Recorded 1965-1967)
THE BEST OF THE SONG BOOKS (1993)
DIZZY'S DIAMONDS: THE BEST OF VERVE YEARS (1992)
VIOLINS NO END (1957)
THE COMPLETE AFTER MIDNIGHT SESSIONS (1956)
THE CHAMP (SAVOY) (1952)
DEE GEE DAYS (THE SAVOY SESSIONS) (1952)
HOT VIOLINS
REEFER SONGS: ORIGINAL JAZZ & BLUES VOCALS
VIOLIN SUMMIT