Louis Smith Vinyl Records Lps For Sale
Check out these new and used Louis Smith vinyl records LPs for sale. We recommend starting your Louis Smith vinyl collection with the essential albums Here Comes Louis Smith, Smithville and Just Friends. Our inventory is always changing, so check back often, or browse our list of vinyl records for sale from jazz musicians.
Louis Prima - In Person!: Wildest Performances 1936-1973
$1.99 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Breathe[2 LP]
5% OffThat Old Black Magic: Louis Prima, Keely Smith, and the Golden Age of Las Vegas
$14.99 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Just Friends
Louis Prima & Keely Smith: That Old Magic
$49.95 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody (Medley / Remastered 2002) [feat. Keely Smith & Sam Butera And The Witnesses]
$1.29 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Louis Prima Digs Keely Smith
$16.00 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Let's Do It: The Birth of Pop Music: A History
74% OffThe Wildest! Louis Prima LP Featuring Keely Smith
$59.99 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)The Life, Blood and Rhythm of Randy Castillo
$4.99 (as of October 26, 2025 05:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Louis Smith: The Understated Genius of Hard Bop Trumpet
Introduction: A Quiet Force in Jazz
Louis Smith may not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing trumpet legends of the jazz world, but for those who know, his tone, technique, and stylistic purity place him among the greats. A key voice in the hard bop movement of the 1950s and beyond, Smith’s playing was lyrical, fiery, and consistently soulful. He may have flown under the radar compared to contemporaries like Miles Davis or Lee Morgan, but his contributions to the genre were lasting, and his work influenced a range of younger trumpet players who came up in his shadow.
Early Life and Education
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1931, Louis Smith grew up in a region rich with musical heritage. His early years were steeped in the blues and gospel traditions of the South, which would later color his trumpet tone with warmth and soul. He pursued formal music education, eventually attending the University of Michigan, where he honed his technical skills and developed a deep understanding of jazz theory and performance.
Smith’s early musical journey was marked by a balance between academia and performance. He taught music while continuing to play, and this dual role as educator and performer would define much of his later career. But when it came to playing the trumpet, he had an expressive, bold style that commanded attention.
A Debut That Turned Heads
Louis Smith’s recording debut came in 1958 with the album Here Comes Louis Smith, released on the Blue Note label. Originally intended as a demo, the album was so impressive that Blue Note co-founder Alfred Lion released it commercially. Featuring an all-star lineup that included Cannonball Adderley (under the pseudonym “Buckshot La Funke”) and Duke Jordan on piano, the record showcased Smith’s lyrical phrasing and agile improvisation.
Here Comes Louis Smith immediately placed him among the brightest young trumpet players in the jazz world. His tone was clean and powerful, and his solos danced with confidence. While hard bop was reaching a creative peak during this time, Smith proved that he belonged in the upper echelon of players, even if he didn’t pursue stardom as aggressively as others.
Notable Albums and Musical Highlights
- Here Comes Louis Smith (1958)
Smith’s debut is still considered a hard bop gem. Tracks like “Brill’s Blues” and “Ande” show off his command of bluesy phrasing and his ability to float effortlessly over swinging rhythms. The interplay with Adderley is especially engaging, revealing Smith’s capacity to hold his own with more widely known players. - Smithville (1958)
Also recorded for Blue Note in the same prolific year, Smithville featured pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor. The album is filled with hard-driving grooves and elegant ballads. The title track “Smithville” and the tune “Wetu” are standouts that demonstrate his compositional skill as well as his playing finesse. - Just Friends (1978)
After a long hiatus from the recording scene, Smith returned with Just Friends, a relaxed and warm record that leaned more into traditional jazz but still retained the bebop spirit. His playing was more mature, slightly more restrained, but filled with grace and clarity. - Ballads for Lulu (1993)
This later album showed Smith’s tender side. Dedicated to his wife, Lulu, the record featured lush, romantic interpretations that underscored his emotional depth and phrasing. It stood as a contrast to his more fiery earlier work and revealed his ability to evolve as an artist. - There Goes My Heart (2002)
One of his final releases, this album was filled with warmth and sincerity. It marked the culmination of a career rooted in integrity, musicality, and subtle brilliance. Smith wasn’t out to dazzle—he played with intention, honesty, and elegance.
Educator and Mentor
While Smith’s discography is relatively small compared to other jazz greats, his impact as a teacher was enormous. He taught music at the University of Michigan and later at the University of Georgia. In these roles, he mentored countless young musicians, offering not just technical instruction but a deeper understanding of jazz as a language.
Many of his students went on to successful careers in jazz, classical music, and education. Smith instilled a respect for musical craftsmanship and encouraged originality. His time spent in the classroom didn’t hinder his playing—it enriched it. He became a symbol of the working musician-scholar: someone who lived jazz in both thought and action.
Louis Smith Smithville Music Matters Blue Note Sealed AAA Vinyl 2X45rpm #867
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Louis Smith Smithville (Vinyl) Limited 12" Album (Limited Edition)
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LOUIS SMITH - Here Comes Louis Smith LP (180g EU Press on BLUE NOTE, SEALED)
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Louis Smith "Smithville" Blue Note 1594 LP ~ W.63rd RVG Ear DG ~ Sonny Clark
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Louis Smith Smithville Blue Note BLP 1594 Japan promo,sealed VINYL LP
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LOUIS SMITH "HERE COMES" BLUE NOTE BLP1584 UA LP Vinyl MONO VG++/EX Duke Jordan
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The Hits of Louis & Keely Louis Prima Keely Smith LP EX Capitol SM-1531
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HERE COMES LOUIS SMITH LP US UA BLUE NOTE BLP 1584 MONO 1972 REISSUE
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LOUIS PRIMA KEELY SMITH LOUIS AND KEELY ORIGINAL 1959 STEREO LP POP VOCAL
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LOUIS PRIMA Wildest Show at Tahoe KEELY SMITH - 1957 1st Press Capitol LP - VG+
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Who He Influenced
Though Louis Smith may not have reached the household-name status of other jazz legends, his influence is deeply felt among serious jazz musicians. Trumpeters who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s—players like Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, and Wallace Roney—have cited earlier hard bop stylists like Smith as foundational.
He was especially revered by musicians who valued melody and clarity over sheer speed or flash. Smith’s solos were masterclasses in structure: he built ideas slowly, connected them logically, and always returned to the emotional core of the tune. For those studying the roots of hard bop trumpet, Smith’s albums became essential listening.
His role as an educator also amplified his influence. Dozens of students passed through his classes and ensembles, each carrying a piece of his musical philosophy into their own careers.
A Life of Quiet Dedication
Louis Smith never seemed interested in chasing fame. He played jazz because he loved it, taught music because he believed in it, and recorded when the opportunity aligned with his values. In an industry that often rewards spectacle over substance, Smith remained grounded. That humility is part of what made his music so honest and enduring.
Even after suffering a stroke in the early 2000s that limited his ability to play, Smith remained a respected figure in the jazz community. His earlier work was rediscovered by a new generation, and reissues of his albums introduced his sound to younger fans seeking the roots of hard bop trumpet.
Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy in the Shadows
Louis Smith may never have enjoyed the commercial spotlight, but his playing continues to resonate with those who care deeply about the art of jazz. His albums remain treasured documents of a player who understood the beauty of restraint, the power of melody, and the joy of swing. As both a performer and a teacher, he gave the world more than flashy solos—he gave it soul, substance, and sincerity. His legacy lives on not in grand headlines, but in the hearts of musicians and listeners who recognize brilliance when they hear it.














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