Pinetop Smith
Clarence "Pinetop" Smith, born on June 11, 1904, in Troy, Alabama, was a pioneering American blues pianist known for his significant contributions to the boogie-woogie style. Raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Smith developed a love for climbing trees, earning him the nickname "Pinetop." He began his musical career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, around 1920, performing as an entertainer on the Theatre Owners Booking Association vaudeville circuit. Smith worked with notable artists such as Ma Rainey and Butterbeans and Susie, honing his skills as a pianist, singer, and comedian.
In 1928, Smith moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he recorded his influential hit "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" on December 29, 1928. This recording is notable for being the first to use the term "boogie woogie," which became synonymous with the genre. The song featured rhythmic "breaks" that were essential to ragtime music and foreshadowed the development of rock and roll. Smith's style and lyrical banter during performances are considered by some to be an early form of rap.
Tragically, Smith's promising career was cut short when he died from a gunshot wound on March 15, 1929, in Chicago, during a dance-hall fight. Despite his brief career, Smith's influence on boogie-woogie and subsequent music genres was profound. He was posthumously recognized for his contributions to music, including his induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. His legacy continues through the work of other musicians who were inspired by his pioneering style.
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