Charlie Smith
Charlie Smith (April 15, 1927 in New York City – January 15, 1966 in New Haven), was an American jazz drummer. Smith played locally in New York in the late 1940s before taking a position accompanying Ella Fitzgerald. He worked briefly with the Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1951 before being replaced by Louie Bellson, and also played with Joe Bushkin, Erroll Garner, Slim Gaillard, Benny Goodman, Hot Lips Page, Oscar Peterson, Artie Shaw, and Slam Stewart.
Also recorded as Charles Smith.
Charlie Smith
DownBeat · Public domain
- Name
- Charlie Smith
- Born
- 15 April 1927
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, U.S.
- Died
- 15 January 1966
- Place of death
- New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
- Occupation
- Musician
- Nationality
- United States.
- Fields
- jazz.
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Charlie Smith (April 15, 1927 in New York City – January 15, 1966 in New Haven), was an American jazz drummer. Smith played locally in New York in the late 1940s before taking a position accompanying Ella Fitzgerald. He worked briefly with the Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1951 before being replaced by Louie Bellson, and also played with Joe Bushkin, Erroll Garner, Slim Gaillard, Benny Goodman, Hot Lips Page, Oscar Peterson, Artie Shaw, and Slam Stewart.
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Charlie Smith (1927–1966) was a musician, of American nationality. The musician was born in New York City and died in New Haven. The work spans jazz.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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wikidata · Q1066996
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Biography
Biography
He performed on television with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker in 1952, and later in the 1950s worked with Billy Taylor, Aaron Bell, and Wild Bill Davison. He relocated to New Haven around 1960, where he played with Willie Ruff and Dwike Mitchell in a trio setting. He also worked as an educator late in life. Smith co-wrote, with Thomas Vaughan, "A Jazz Liturgy" for Yale Divinity School. He died of a kidney infection.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Charlie Smith • Born — 15 April 1927 • Birthplace — New York City, New York, U.S. • Died — 15 January 1966 • Place of death — New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician • Years Active — 1940s–1966
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1927
Charlie Smith was born on 15 April 1927.
1966
Charlie Smith died on 15 January 1966.
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New York City.
Birth place
New Haven.
Death place
Discography
• Mitchell-Ruff Trio, The Catbird Seat (Atlantic, 1961; reissued on CD combined with Les McCann, Much Les as 20 Special Fingers) • Mitchell-Ruff Trio, After this Message (Atlantic, 1966) • Ella Fitzgerald With Ray Brown Trio & Quintet Featuring Charlie Smith, Hank Jones, Kai Winding, Allen Eager Plus Lester Young, Brew Moore, Roy Haynes, Royal Roost Sessions (Cool & Blue, 1993) • Oscar Pettiford Quartet with Billy Taylor, Charles Mingus, Charlie Smith, Discoveries (Savoy, 1952)
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Charlie Smith is recorded as a citizen of United States. Recorded with the occupation musician. Classed in the genre jazz.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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