Episode 14: Bessie Smith, The Empress of Blues

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Born on April 15, 1894, Bessie Smith fell in love with music at a young age. Inspired by her brother Clarence, she started off performing on 9th Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee. By 14, she was performing at Atlanta's 81 Theatre, where she met the legendary Ma Rainey.

In 1923, Bessie recorded "Down Hearted Blues." In less than 6 months, it sold 780,000 copies. This catapulted her into the national spotlight where she toured the North and South, collaborated with greats like Louis Armstrong, and became the highest paid Black entertainer of her time.

Come along with us as we explore Bessie's career, influence on blues and jazz, and her enduring legacy through history and astrology for Black History Month!

Sources

Articles:

• “Bessie Smith” by Chris Albertson, for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (https://tinyurl.com/5ad57fps)
• "Bessie Smith: Blues Icon, Trailblazer with Village Connections" by Leeanne G-Bowley (https://tinyurl.com/472fpr6e)
• "Bessie Smith's First Recordings" by Roger Kimmel Smith (https://tinyurl.com/5n6r5e7p)
• "Bulldykers and lady lovers: the rumors about lesbian blues singers were all true" by Meagan Day (https://tinyurl.com/4byxcx83)
• “Edward Albee: Controversial Father of Vaudeville” by Anna Jennings (https://tinyurl.com/dw6byj4v)
• “Forebearers: Bessie Smith, The Empress of The Blues” by Gwen Thompkins (https://tinyurl.com/d58j32k3)
• "1923: Bessie Smith, 100 Women of the Year", TIME Magazine (https://tinyurl.com/43ywwxrk)

Books:

• Bessie by Chris Alberston, Revised and Extended Edition.

Digital Media:

• Bessie, HBO Films, 2015
• St. Louis Blues (https://tinyurl.com/545z73tr)

Websites:

• Bessie Smith (https://tinyurl.com/th3d8phr)
• Bessie Smith (https://tinyurl.com/msw69jkn)
• Bessie Smith (https://tinyurl.com/5dn9xyfs)
• GRAMMY Hall of Fame Past Recipients (https://tinyurl.com/mnrn3b45)
• The National Recording Registry 2002 (https://tinyurl.com/2my6fs2t)
• 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll (https://tinyurl.com/4vbbdazz)

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