Even though his given name was Henry Franklin Smith he was known to friends, family and fans as Buster Smith and sometimes as Professor Smith. Noted for the prodigious volume level of his playing, saxophonist Smith often used a tenor reed on his alto and went on to play with many jazz greats and mentor others.

Buster Smith was born near Dallas, Texas on August 24, 1904 and by the age of 18 was able to play organ, guitar, clarinet and alto saxophone. By 19 he was playing professionally with a medicine show. Just two years after that he was playing with the Blue Devils, a band that included Oran “Hot Lips" Page on trumpet, Lester Young on tenor saxophone, Walter Page at the bass, Count Basie playing piano and Jimmy Rushing was the vocalist. The Blue Devils were a ”territory band“ on tour throughout the mid-west and southwestern parts of the United States.

After leaving the Blue Devils Buster and Basie formed the Buster Smith-Count Basie Band of Rhythm in Kansas City. While living and working in that hot bed of 1930s jazz Smith gave saxophone lessons to a young and promising alto player named Charlie Parker.

In 1941, tiring of touring, Smith returned to Dallas where he spent most of the rest of his life playing and teaching. He mentored young musicians from the area including “T-Bone” Walker and Red Garland. He also did session work with Eddie Durham and Don Redman. Buster Smith was involved in a serious automobile accident in 1961 that left him unable to play saxophone. He did, however, teach himself to play electric bass and continued to perform until his death from a heart attack in 1991.

Here is a link to a cut from Buster Smith’s only record as a leader made in 1959 for Atlantic Records:

"E-FLAT BOOGIE"