Bessie Smith
Singer
Date Of Birth:
15 April 1894
Date Of Death:
26 September 1937
Place Of Birth:
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Best Known As:
Classic blues singer dubbed "Empress of the Blues"
Born into poverty and orphaned at an early age, Bessie Smith became the greatest blues singer of her era, recording more than 160 songs between 1923 and 1933. Her early career was influenced by Ma Rainey, and Smith performed on stage throughout the southern U.S. before making records. Smith recorded with such jazz legends as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Coleman Hawkins, but it was Smith who was the star. Her hits include "Downhearted Blues" and "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out."
Extra Credit:
Smith appeared in the 1929 movie St. Louis Blues.
2 Good Links
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Great little page full of various detailed links
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Academic and modern take on Bessie's wild life and her role in 20th century culture
See also:
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