Seattle's Jackson Street area jazz clubs flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, with their popularity peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of musicians and patrons, then returning the following week to sell prints.

Here, Smith photographs a band, variously identified as The Savoy Boys and The Men of Jive, performing on stage at Seattle's Savoy Ballroom. This building at East Madison and 22nd Avenue started out as a movie theater in the 1930s and later claimed fame as a dance and supper club. Between 1941 and 1964 it was known as the Savoy Ballroom, then the Eastside Club, and finally, the Birdland Supper Club.

Band members are identified left to right as: Buddy Brashear, piano; Delbert Brown, drums; Don Alexander, trumpet; Billy Tolles, saxophone; George Francis, tenor saxophone (seated); Major Pigford, trombone; unidentified, saxophone.

From original inventory: Jazz band, Men of Jive, playing on stage. Saxophone player, Billy Tolles (#1) standing, rest of orchestra in background. On wall behind them is poster that says 'United We Win'. 2-Major Pigford, 3-Don Alexander, 4-Buddy Brashear, 5-George Francis, 6-Delbert Brown on drums. No ID

Written on negative page: Jazz local