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Teddy Smith

1932 – 1979

American bassist

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About Teddy Smith

Lived 1932 – 1979 (aged 47). Teddy Smith was an American jazz musician.

Theodore Smith (January 22, 1932, in Washington, D.C.—August 24, 1979, in Washington, D.C.) was an American jazz double-bassist.

Smith played with Betty Carter in 1960, and with Clifford Jordan (with whom he recorded the LP Bearcat in 1962) and Kenny Dorham in 1961-62. In 1962-63 he played with Jackie McLean and Slide Hampton. Following this he played with Horace Silver, including at the 1964 Montreux, Antibes, and Paris jazz festivals and on the album Song for My Father. Following this Smith played with Sonny Rollins (1964–65) and Sonny Simmons (1966).

Smith's performance on the title track of Song for My Father, beginning with the opening unison figure between Smith's bass and Silver's piano, has been one of the most widely heard pieces of jazz music in the world for nearly a half-century and an influence on such artists as Stevie Wonder and Steely Dan.

Discography With Kenny Dorham Matador (United Artists, 1962) With Rufus Jones Five on Eight (Cameo, 1964) With Clifford Jordan Bearcat (Jazzland, 1962) With Sonny Rollins The Standard Sonny Rollins (RCA Victor, 1964) With Horace Silver Song for My Father (Blue Note, 1964) Live 1964 (Emerald, 1984)

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Important facts

People in Teddy Smith's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Teddy Smith's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Teddy Smith?

American bassist

When was Teddy Smith born?

Teddy Smith was born on 22 January 1932 in Washington, D.C..

When did Teddy Smith die?

Teddy Smith died on 24 August 1979 in Washington, D.C..

What was Teddy Smith's occupation?

Teddy Smith was a jazz musician.

What nationality was Teddy Smith?

Teddy Smith was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Teddy Smith

· Wikidata: Q1516216

· DBpedia: Teddy Smith

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Teddy Smith. https://biography.guide/teddy-smith/

MLA: "Teddy Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/teddy-smith/.

Chicago: "Teddy Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/teddy-smith/.

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