Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26 1937) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA is largely regarded as the most popular and successful blues singer of 1920s and 30s, and an enormous influence on the singers who followed her.

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Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26 1937) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA is largely regarded as the most popular and successful blues singer of 1920s and 30s, and an enormous influence on the singers who followed her.

Smith was initially hired as a dancer with the Moses Stokes company, a show that also included Ma Rainey, who did not teach Smith to sing but probably helped her develop a stage presence. Smith began developing her own act around 1913, at Atlanta's "81" Theatre. By 1920 she had gained a reputation in the South and along the Eastern Seaboard.

Genres

Blues

Top tracks

St. Louis Blues
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Do Your Duty
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair

more

Top albums

	The Essential Bessie Smith (disc 2)
Alexander's Ragtime Band There'll be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight Trombone Cholly Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair A Good Man is Hard to Find Dyin' by the Hour Me and My Gin Kitchen Man Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual) Moan, You Moaners Black Mountain Blues Shipwreck Blues Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl Do Your Duty Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer Take Me for a Buggy Ride Down in the Dumps
	The Collection
Downhearted Blues 'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do My Sweetie Went Away Weepin' Willow Blues St. Louis Blues Reckless Blues You've Been a Good Ole Wagon I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle Young Woman's Blues Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan) Mean Old Bedbug Blues Empty Bed Blues (Pts 1 & 2) Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out Black Mountain Blues Do Your Duty Gimme A Pigfoot
	The Ultimate Collection
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out The Gin House Blues T'ain't Nobody's Business If I Do After You've Gone Sweet Mistreater Empty Bed Blues (Parts 1 and 2) Dyin' by the Hour Homeless Blues You've Been a Good Ole Wagon (But You Done Broke Down) Gulf Coast Blues Aggravatin' Papa (Don't You Try to Two-Time Me) Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan) There'll be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight Nobody in Town Can Bake a Sweet Jelly Roll Like Mine A Good Man is Hard to Find Lock and Key Looking for my Man Blues Foolish Man Blues Hateful Blues Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl Thinking Blues Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair St. Louis Blues (feat. Louis Armstrong)