Smith, Willie "The Lion". (1893–1973) Handwritten Statement on Playing MusicAn extraordinary and apparently unpublished handwritten statement on playing music, composed by the American jazz pianist and one of the masters of the stride style, usually grouped with James P. Johnson and Thomas "Fats" Waller as the three greatest practitioners of the genre in its golden age, from about 1920 to 1943. He was also an early influence on and longtime friend to Ellington. 1 page. Paris, France. "10 Boulevard Momartre, Hotel Ronceray,"