Smith, Chris
(1879–1949)> AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMPOSER
Chris Smith African-American composer Charleston, South Carolina, October 12, 1879; New York City, October 4, 1949. He started in show business with a black medicine show. He began a twenty-year partnership with his childhood friend, Elmer Bowman (1879–1916), when they came to New York City with their vaudeville act. There Smith met the best black talents of the day, and wrote for and with them. He also met Cecil Mack , who became his main lyricist. Starting in 1901 with his first big hit, “…