Alto saxophonist Bobby Smith was a well-respected composer, arranger, bandleader, sideman and soloist during his 50-plus-years in music. Refusing offers from Duke Ellington and Jimmie Lunceford, Smith spent sixteen years with jazz giant Erskine Hawkins and wrote one of his biggest hits "Tippin' In". The music had the bounce and drive appropriate to Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, where Hawkins reigned for many years. These sides reflect the combination of big band & R&B in the air in 1949 - '54. With Haywood Henry, Leroy Kirkland, Ace Harris, Bob Range, Julian Dash and others. 22 tracks all presented from the original master tapes.