ROBERT T.SMITH A. k.a. PIANO SLIM
Born Robert T. Smith, 1 August 1928, La Grange, Texas, USA. Slim began singing and playing saxophone in clubs in the late 40s, but after being shot in the chest he switched to drums, playing behind Lightnin’ Hopkins for a spell. He became a pianist when working with a band in Odessa, Texas, and on moving back to Houston, Henry Hayes taught him about music; he also claims to have recorded around this time. Don Robey recommended Slim to Bobbin Records in St. Louis, and they released a single by him in the late 50s. He remains based in St. Louis, and has played in innumerable bars and clubs. In 1981, he recorded his first album, mostly solo, although with guitarist Amos Sandford on some titles, then two years later he made an album with a band that included two horns. Reviewing these two records, both issued by Swingmaster, Living Blues stated: ‘whether you prefer solo piano blues or rocking horn-backed material, Robert T. Smith can deliver the goods’.
Info : https://www.allmusic.com/artist/piano-slim-mn0000847014/biography
Black History is Blues History.
St. Louis Spotlight: Piano Slim
Born Robert T. Smith, he was a definitive asset of St. Louis Blues where he is known as Piano Slim.
He paid his dues way back in the '40s and '50s in Houston, Texas working among such first rate bluesman as Gatemouth Brown, Little Willie Littlefield, and Henry Hayes. It was there that he made his first record for a small label that also starred Smokey Hogg.
In 1959 he moved to St. Louis and recorded '"Workin' Again" for the local Bobbin label, released along with the works of Albert King and Little Milton. In St. Louis Slim played in about any club or bar worth mentioning.
His first album for the Swingmaster label, "Mean Woman Blues", was recorded in August of 1981. Other recordings and singles followed, such as the 1983 album, "Gateway To The Blues". This led to six European tours featuring Piano Slim as either a headliner, supporting act, or sideman.
When home in St. Louis, he continued to play the local clubs and work with some of the areas notable bluesmen, such as Henry Townsend, Tommy Bankhead and J.R. Reed. In 1991, Slim was featured on a compilation of St. Louis' blues artists on the Wolf Records label, called "St. Louis Blues Today".
Besides Piano Slim, this album included songs and performances by Tommy Bankhead, Doc Terry, J.R. Reed, Oliver Sam and Johnny Johnson.
During this period, Slim began using a popular local St. Louis band, Blues Inquisition, as his backup band. They performed together at regular engagements and special events through the mid nineties. In 1993 they recorded an album together, "Minnie Skirt", his best produced album to date.
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