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Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith. Quick facts. Occupation: Singer Birth Date: April 15, 1894 Death Date: September 26, 1937 Best known for : Singing blues, also referred to as T he Empress of blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of 1920s & 1930s. . HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER .

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Bessie Smith

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  1. Bessie Smith

  2. Quick facts • Occupation: Singer • Birth Date: April 15, 1894 • Death Date: September 26, 1937 • Best known for : Singing blues, also referred to as The Empress of blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of 1920s & 1930s.

  3. HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER • Her professional career began in 1912. • She sang in the same show as Ma Rainey, who took her under her wing and coached her. • In 1920 she had her own show in Atlantic City and in 1923 she moved to New York. • She was then signed by Columbia and her first recording made her famous.

  4. During her recording career • Bessie worked with many important jazz performers, such as saxophonist Sidney Bechet and pianists Fletcher Henderson and James P. Johnson. • With Johnson she recorded one of her most famous songs “Back Water Blues”. • She also collaborated with the legendary jazz artist Lois Armstrong on several tunes, including “Cold In Hand Blues” and “I Ain’tGonna Play No Second Fiddle”.

  5. Career downfall • By the late 1920s Bessie’s career wasn’t going so good. • She stopped working with Columbia in 1931 • Bessie made her final recordings in 1933 with John Hammond • A dedicated performer , Smith still continued to tour.

  6. Comeback • While working on a comeback, Bessie Smith died on September 26, 1937, as a result of an automobile accident. • Since her death, her music continues to win over new fans and collections of her songs have sold well over the years. • Smith has been immortalized in numerous works, including Edward Albee’s 1961 play : The Death of Bessie Smith.

  7. Remembering Bessie Smith April 15, 1894 - September 26, 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX8ptPn3P9I&feature=fvst937

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