Fred Longshaw was a jazz pianist known for his contributions to the blues genre in the 1920s. He recorded two piano solos for Columbia in New York in 1925 and was an accompanist for prominent blues singers, most notably Bessie Smith. Longshaw's work included playing piano and organ, and he was involved in approximately 20 recording sessions over a span of less than ten years starting in 1924. His collaborations with legendary musicians like Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith are particularly notable, especially his participation in a renowned version of W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues," which is considered a masterpiece of blues recordings. Longshaw also led Bessie Smith's vaudeville band, Fred Longshaw & His Birmingham Dance Orchestra, and was a songwriter, often exploring themes of romantic intrigue and disappointment. His unique use of instruments such as the reed organ and harmonium contributed to his distinctive sound in the blues and jazz scenes of his time.