E. Russell Smith (abt. 1884 - 1952)

Born about 6 Jul 1884 in Richmond, Missouri, United States

Died 12 Apr 1952 at about age 67 in Seattle, King, Washington, United States

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Biography

Russell Smith is Notable.

E. Russell "Noodles" Smith, so named because no matter how much he risked at gambling, he always kept enough money for a bowl of noodles, was a prominent businessman and considered to be the father of Seattle jazz.

Russell was born in 1884 in Richmond, Missouri, United States, to Russell Smith and Ollie. T. Bridgman^[1].

He was married to Zelma Winslow^[2] and was a jazz club owner in Seattle, Washington^[3], where he died in 1952^[1]. He is buried there in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery^[4]. He has been described as "the father – or perhaps the midwife – of Seattle jazz"^[5][6].

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960", citing Seattle, King, Washington, reference 6236, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia; FHL microfilm 2,033,087, FamilySearch Record: N3BW-36Y (accessed 3 May 2024), E Russell Smith death 12 Apr 1952, son of Russell Smith & Ollie T. Bridgman, in Seattle, King, Washington. b. July 6, 1884, Richmond, Mo., US; widowed.
2. ↑ "United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", citing Affiliate Name: GenealogyBank, Inc.; Digital film/folder number: 102134902; Image number: 244, FamilySearch Record: Q5MX-GYYF (accessed 3 May 2024) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSWB-GQS1, Name: Mr E Russell Smith; Occupation: Sportsman; Death Date: 05 Apr 1952; Birth Date: about 1885; Birth Place: Richmond, Missouri; Residence Date: 10 Apr 1952; Residence Place: Seattle, Washington; Obituary Date: 15 Apr 1952; Obituary Place: Seattle, Washington; Burial Place: Mount Pleasant; Age: 67; Source Newspaper: Seattle Daily Times; System Of Record: SLS; brother: Floyd Wright; spouse: Zelma Winslow
3. ↑ Rucker, Paul. 78 on Jackson, "Zelma Winslow", posted June 12, 2021:

   Originally from Kansas, Winslow came to Seattle in 1920, where she had a stormy marriage to clubowner Russell “Noodles” Smith. Winslow was known as much for her hot temper as her torch songs and blues. In a 1933 raid at the Black and Tan she socked a police officer who dared her to do it again — and she did. Winslow was at the Jungle Temple, on Highway 99, toward Everett, with Oscar Holden in 1937 and was featured at Noodles’ last establishment, the Ubangi, in 1937. Pianist Julian Henson reported that Winslow encouraged him to play when he shyly hung around her at the Black and Tan.

4. ↑ Find a Grave (has image), Find A Grave: Memorial #5507179 (accessed 4 May 2024), Memorial page for E Russell Smith (1884-Apr 1952), citing Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Seattle, King County, Washington, USA; Maintained by Carolyn Farnum (contributor 10411580).
5. ↑ Ott, Christopher (2007). "E. Russell Noodles Smith," Link to online article at BlackPast
6. ↑ The Seattle Times, September 12, 1993, "Hot Town -- Beboppers, High Rollers And A Man Called `Noodles',"Link to article at Seattle Times