A native of Los Angeles, CA, Putter Smith has played bass for Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Billy Eckstine, Alan Broadbent, Bob Brookmeyer, Diane Schuur, Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, Ray Charles, Carmen McRae, Patrice Rushen, Art Farmer, Burt Bacharach, Erroll Garner, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper and countless others.

Putter also appeared as assassin Mr. Kidd in the 1971 James Bond film Diamond Are Forever, starring Sean Connery.