Bessie Smith
Published on Nov 24, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Known as the "Empress of blues" Bessie Smith was a one of kind singers that commanded the stages as one of the greatest blues singers of the Harlem Renaissance. Her success story is one of survival, perseverance and triumph.
Biography:
Bessie Smith, one of seven children, was born April15, 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tragically, both parent and two of her siblings passed away by the time she turned nine years of age. She was raise by her older sister and aunt.
Biography cont...
Living in poverty, Bessie and one of her bothers began street performing for money. She sang while her brother played the guitar. By age 18, she performed in various minstrel show gaining notoriety.
Career:
Gaining fame, Bessie performing and recording her own music and by age 26, she a massive amount of records. In1923, she signed with Columbia Records, become their highest selling record artist.
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Triumph in success:
Bessie's success propelled her into the blues spotlight. She was giving the title of "Empress of the Blues". She was one of the highest paid African American performers of the Harlem Renaissance. She even owned her own railroad car to get around while on tour.
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Singing style:
Bessie sang raw, uncut country blues inspired by life in the south. She took her everyday experiences and turned them into musical master pieces. Biographer Chris Albertson, state "Bessie had a wonderful way of turning adversity into triumph, and many of her songs are the tales of liberated women".
Major Accomplishments:
Bessie sang and wrote her own music. Her first recording "Down Hearted Blues" sold an estimated 800,000 copies making her a big time artist. She is best known for: Blue Water Blues, Taint Nobody's business if I do, St. Louis Blues, and Nobody knows you when your down and out. Between 1923-1933, she recorded 160 songs.
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Challenges and Hardship:
Her blues career was cut short due to a combination of the great depression, cultural differences, and a changing era, but she never stopped performing or touring. She took side jobs in talkies and performed where ever she could get work. In1933, she enter the swing genre, in which she assimilated successfully. Unfortunately her life was cut short at the age of 43 due to injuries acquired in a automobile accident.
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Impact on future generations:
After death, her music continued to win over fans and her songs continue to sell. She has been a primary influence for countless vocalists including Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin. She has a few books written about her and was awarded a Grammy lifetime achievement award.
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