Biography

Albert Smith (born 1912) of Rembert, South Carolina began playing the piano in 1927 when his parents bought him one from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. Albert was a lovely, soft-spoken man, and a powerful blues shouter and barrel-house pianist. Albert remained in his county his entire life, never traveling far from home. Albert was been the inspiration to countless young musicians such as Drink Small who grew up his neighbor. When we went to visit him we brought him a new piano as his old one just would not stay in tune anymore. – Tim Duffy

How We Helped:

Music Maker welcomed Albert Smith on board in 1996, and provided him with sustenance grants, a new piano, and recordings on Music Maker compilation CDs like Blues Sweet Blues and Expressin’ the Blues. Albert is featured in the book Music Makers: Portraits and Songs from the Roots of America (2004).