Seattle's jazz scene flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith took thousands of photos in the popular Jackson street jazz clubs, and at larger venues hosting concerts. Among the many jazz musicians Smith photographed were a number of internationally renowned artists who came to play in Seattle while on tour, including Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines, and Count Basie and others.

Al Smith photographed famed composer, bandleader and percussionist Lionel Hampton and his orchestra performing at Seattle Civic Auditorium in 1946, and trumpet player, composer and bandleader Dizzy Gillespie at Seattle's Senator Ballroom in 1949. Nearly 50 years later, Al Smith again photographed these two jazz greats performing in Seattle. On August 9, 1991 Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, along with Miriam Makeba, performed at a Summer Nights at the Pier concert at Pier 62/63. This time, Smith captured them on 35 mm color film, rather than the large format black and white film he used in the 1940s.

Here, Smith photographs Lionel Hampton, center, and two other musicians backstage at the 1991 concert on the Seattle waterfront.