Paul Smoker Trio

A compelling yet undersung avant-garde trumpeter, Smoker was a master of the instrument's expressive possibilities -- the growls, wahs, and other tonal manipulations that have come to define its use in jazz. Smoker's playing was not unduly effects-laden, however; he possessed a well-developed conventional technique as well. Smoker was raised in Davenport, Iowa, hometown to another jazz trumpeter of some distinction, Bix Beiderbecke. Like Bix, Smoker made his way to Chicago to play jazz; in the '60s he played in various groups, including a big band led by Bobby Christian. Smoke...