Bessie Smith biographer Chris Albertson talks about the life of “The Empress of the Blues,” one of popular music's most important figures during the 1920's and..
“Bessie” follows the familiar “rise and fall and rise” arc of most show business stories, as the baby artist learns her crafts, then gets famous, forgotten and.
Bessie Smith
| Blues, jazz singer Date of Birth: 15.04.1894 Country: USA |
Bessie Smith: Biography of a Blues Singer
Bessie Smith was an influential American singer and a prominent figure in the world of blues music.
She began her career singing for street audiences during her childhood and later joined a traveling show troupe as a dancer. It was during this time that she worked with Ma Rainey, a senior colleague who encouraged Smith to perform blues songs.
Despite Rainey's mentorship, it was evident from the early stages of her career that Smith's powerful vocal abilities would surpass those of her mentor. By 1920, Smith had become the lead artist in the troupe and was clearly on her way to becoming the greatest blues singer of her time.
Despite changes in musical trends in cities like New York and Chicago, Smith found success wherever she performed, earning her the title of the Empress of the Blues.
Her true empire, however, was in the southern United States, where