Trumpeter Keith Smith far outlasted the British trad jazz renaissance that first vaulted him to prominence, later going on to lead all-star lineups spotlighting some of the same New Orleans jazz greats that stoked his initial passion for the idiom. Born March 19, 1940, in Middlesex, England, Smith studied for a career in engineering, but upon discovering his older brother's jazz record collection at age 15, he acquired a secondhand trumpet for seven pounds, joining clarinetist Norrie Cox's New Orleans jazz revival combo soon thereafter. Smith served with a series of London amateur groups, including the San Jacinto Jazz Band, the New Teao Brass Band (also featuring trombonist Chris Barber and trumpeter Ken Colyer), and the Fron-Zi-Me Jazz Band, before turning pro in 1960 as a member of the Mickey Ashman Ragtime Jazz Band. Two years later he co-founded the Climax Jazz Band, making his recorded debut on their first studio session. Smith's passion for New Orleans pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Henry Red Allen inspired him to travel to the Crescent City in 1964 -- there he supported clarinetist George Lewis and quickly decided to settle in the U.S. on a permanent basis, supplementing his income by acquiring a pushcart and selling traditional British fish and chips until New Orleans' organized crime bosses muscled in, offering him 24 hours to get out of town or else. Smith chose the former option, relocating for a time to California before landing in New York City.

Smith returned to London with any number of international jazz contacts, and in 1966 he assembled the first Keith Smith's American All-Stars lineup, recruiting veterans including bassist George Pops Foster, trombonist Jimmy Archey, and trumpeter Alvin Alcorn for tours of Europe and Canada. From 1972 to 1975 Smith lived in Denmark, working as a member of Papa Bue's Viking Jazz Band. Upon coming back to Britain he formed the group Hefty Jazz, who, aside from regular members including trombonist George Chisholm and pianist Mick Pyne, were often joined by visiting American swing-era stars like clarinetist Peanuts Hucko, pianist Nat Pierce, clarinetist Johnny Mince, and drummer Barrett Deems. In 1981 Smith was appointed to helm the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, a group featuring five members of Satchmo's own classic band, and in 1984 he produced +Stardust Road, a musical tribute to Hoagy Carmichael starring singer Georgie Fame. Hefty Jazz toured the U.S. in 1985, highlighted by an acclaimed appearance at the New York club Eddie Condon's. Smith devoted much of the decade to follow to themed concerts honoring the music of Armstrong, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, and spent his final years living and performing in Germany. Shortly after returning to London, he suffered a fatal heart attack on January 4, 2008. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi