(Reference). Johnny Smith (1922-2013) was the jazz guitarist's jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he workedfor the network broadcasters in New York while also playing regularly at clubs such asBirdland opposite Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, George Shearing and many otherlegends of jazz. He was the most revered guitarist on the New York jazz scene during a goldenera. His technical virtuosity, quality of tone, musical sophistication and literacy were unrivaledin jazz guitar circles. Many celebrated jazz guitarists still consider him to be the benchmark ofmusicianship by which all others are measured. This is the biography of the man whom many jazz guitar legends call "The Master."