Stuff Smith

He began his career playing in Alphonso Trent's orchestra in Dallas, Texas in 1926. In 1928, he moved to New York City and played with Jelly Roll Morton. He formed his own band in 1930 with Cozy Cole and Jonah Jones in Buffalo, New York. In 1935 through to 1940, he and his sextet took up residency at the Onyx Club, a small club on 52nd Street, New York City and gained big success.