Bessie Smith
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Born: April 15, 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Died: September 26, 1937 in Clarksdale, Mississippi
Died: September 26, 1937 in Clarksdale, Mississippi
Bessie then moved to Philadelphia in 1920 and was noticed by a representative of
Columbia Records. She made her first recording in 1923 which included her “Down
Hearted Blues” and sold over two million copies. Smith eventually made over 160
recordings and shared billing on some of these songs with Benny Goodman, Louis
Armstrong, and Fletcher Henderson.
Some of the recurring themes in Smith’s lyrics were poverty, oppression, betrayals
and unrequited love. Her popularity began to decline during the roaring 1920s and
she began to struggle with alcoholism. Bessie Smith became known as the “Empress
of the Blues” and is remembered as a confident singer who epitomized the struggles
of Black Americans of her age. Bessie died in 1937 from injuries sustained in a car
accident.
Columbia Records. She made her first recording in 1923 which included her “Down
Hearted Blues” and sold over two million copies. Smith eventually made over 160
recordings and shared billing on some of these songs with Benny Goodman, Louis
Armstrong, and Fletcher Henderson.
Some of the recurring themes in Smith’s lyrics were poverty, oppression, betrayals
and unrequited love. Her popularity began to decline during the roaring 1920s and
she began to struggle with alcoholism. Bessie Smith became known as the “Empress
of the Blues” and is remembered as a confident singer who epitomized the struggles
of Black Americans of her age. Bessie died in 1937 from injuries sustained in a car
accident.
Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga,
Tennessee in July of 1892. She grew up in
poverty in a family of 10 children. Bessie’s first
performances were alongside her brother
Andrew as she sang and he played the guitar.
The two performed outside of a saloon in
Chattanooga. Bessie’s first professional
appearance occurred in 1912 when she was
employed in the Moses Stokes Theatre
Company with her brother Clarence. Bessie
was a dancer for the troupe. In 1913 Bessie
began to perform at Atlanta’s “81” theater and
had established a reputation for herself
throughout the South and Eastern seaboard by
the 1920s. At about this time Bessie was
noticed by Gertrued “Ma” Rainey who was a
pioneer blues singer. Rainey then proceeded
to provide Bessie with training and traveled
through the south performing in tent shows,
bars, and theaters.
Tennessee in July of 1892. She grew up in
poverty in a family of 10 children. Bessie’s first
performances were alongside her brother
Andrew as she sang and he played the guitar.
The two performed outside of a saloon in
Chattanooga. Bessie’s first professional
appearance occurred in 1912 when she was
employed in the Moses Stokes Theatre
Company with her brother Clarence. Bessie
was a dancer for the troupe. In 1913 Bessie
began to perform at Atlanta’s “81” theater and
had established a reputation for herself
throughout the South and Eastern seaboard by
the 1920s. At about this time Bessie was
noticed by Gertrued “Ma” Rainey who was a
pioneer blues singer. Rainey then proceeded
to provide Bessie with training and traveled
through the south performing in tent shows,
bars, and theaters.
Bessie Smith is considered to be one of the
most popular and successful blues singers of
the 1920s and 1930s. She influenced many
American singers who came after such as
Billie Holliday, Mahalia Jackson, and Janis
Joplin, to name a few.
most popular and successful blues singers of
the 1920s and 1930s. She influenced many
American singers who came after such as
Billie Holliday, Mahalia Jackson, and Janis
Joplin, to name a few.
Bessie Smith (video)
Me and My Gin