Downtown West in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lloyd Arthur Smith

Born May 28, 1914

Photographed by Jason Voigt, January 23, 2023

1. Lloyd Arthur Smith Marker

Inscription. Lloyd Arthur Smith was born and reared in St. Louis, MO. Smith graduated from Sumner High School and is known for his many talents as a musician, businessman, and community leader. Smith's calling was music, and he served the industry as a saxophonist for notables such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Smith was also the father of Dwayne and Dwight Bosman, both accomplished musicians.

Erected 2009 by Gateway Community Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 38° 38.19′ N, 90° 12.419′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Downtown West. It is on North 20th Street south of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive (Missouri Route D), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1934 Dr Martin Luther King Dr, Saint Louis MO 63106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Lincoln I. Diuguid (here, next to this marker); Chuck Berry (here, next to this marker); Abraham Bolden (here, next to this marker); David L. Steward (here, next to this marker); Myrtle H. Davis (here,

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next to this marker); Montford Point Marines of St. Louis (here, next to this marker); Nathaniel Sweets (here, next to this marker); Russ Mitchell (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Regarding Lloyd Arthur Smith. While Smith was not a household name, he was a friend and colleague of many famous musicians: Louis Armstrong (who got married at Smith's mother's home in St. Louis); Redd Foxx was a high school friend; and Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington were good friends with him. It is said that when a big band came to town, Smith would be the first to be asked to play with them. On the business side, Smith was responsible for helping African Americans get employment with local employers such as Trans World Airlines and Colonial Bakery during the 1950's and 1960's. He would donate to the NAACP and other civil rights groups, but would prefer to be in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 29 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on January 24, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.