File:Bessie_Smith_(1936)_by_Carl_Van_Vechten.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Bessie Smith
Sign in to saveAlso known as The Empress of the Blues, Empress of the Blues
American blues singer (1892–1937)
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer who lived from 1892 to 1937 and became one of the most influential performers of her era. Her powerful voice and emotional performances helped define blues music and made her a major cultural figure during the Jazz Age.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Person · Open Library
- Works
- 5
Top works
- Yolla--the first century
- Empress of the Blues
- The sunny side of the Neutrals
- Bessie Smith Songbook
- I Can Write Streetland (I Can Write) (I Can Write)
via Open Library + Wikidata
Film & TV
Acting · Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues", she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on fellow blues singers, as well as jazz vocalists.
Known for
- The Story Of The Blues — Self (archive footage)2004
- It's Black Entertainment — Self (archive footage)2002
- A Huey P. Newton Story — Self (archive footage) (uncredited)2001
- Blues Masters — Self (archive footage)1999
- Blues Masters - The Essential History of the Blues — Self (archive footage)1993
- Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music — Self (archive footage)1993
- St. Louis Blues — Bessie - Battered Wife1929
via TMDB
Music · MusicBrainz
- Type
- Person
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United States
- Active from
- 1894
- Active to
- 1937
Discography
- Baby Won’t You Please Come Home Blues / Oh Daddy Blues1923
- Easy Come Easy Go Blues / Frosty Morining Blues1924
- Haunted House Blues / Eavesdropper's Blues1924
- Careless Love Blues / He's Gone Blues1925
- Nashville Women’s Blues / I Ain’t Goin’ to Play Second Fiddle1925
- The St. Louis Blues / Cold in Hand Blues1925
- The Gin House Blues / Lost Your Head Blues1926
- After You've Gone / Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan)1927
- Back-Water Blues / Preachin' the Blues1927
- Lock and Key / Trombone Cholly1927
via MusicBrainz · CC0
Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 366,462
- Total plays
- 2,930,120
Tags
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer. Nicknamed The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and, along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on other jazz vocalists. The 1900 census indicates that Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July 1892. However, the 1910 census recorded her birthday as April 15 <a href="https://w
Recent publications · Crossref
5 total works indexed
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via Crossref · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Bessiesmith-2.jpg
Show 9 more facts
- Commons category
- Bessie Smith
- date of birth
- 1894-04-15
- date of death
- 1937-09-26
- Commons gallery
- Bessie Smith
- name in native language
- Bessie Smith
- start of work period
- 1912-00-00
- nickname
- Empress of the Blues
- end of work period
- 1937-00-00
- P12749
- Xuzhou
Sources (9)
via Wikidata · CC0
~27 min read
Article
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1892 – September 26, 1937) was an African-American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues" and formerly Queen of the Blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930s. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, she is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on fellow blues singers, as well as jazz vocalists.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Smith was young when her parents died, and she and her six siblings survived by performing on street corners. She began touring and performed in a group that included Ma Rainey, and then went out on her own. Her successful recording career with Columbia Records began in 1923, but her performing career was cut short by a car crash that killed her at the age of 45.