Biography
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1892 – September 26, 1937) was an African-American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues" and formerly Queen of the Blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930s. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, she is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on fellow blues singers, as well as jazz vocalists. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Smith was young when her parents died, and she and her six siblings survived by performing on street corners. She began touring and performed in a group that included Ma Rainey, and then went out on her own. Her successful recording career with Columbia Records began in 1923, but her performing career was cut short by a car crash that killed her at the age of 45.
Bio from Wikipedia
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.
Sings Folk Songs
1962
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack)
2004
Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy
1954
The Smithsonian Collection Of Classic Jazz
1973
The Great Blues Men
1972
Blues & Ballads
1960
The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1
1951
The Story Of The Blues
1969
Blues In My Bottle
1961
Belafonte Sings The Blues
1958
These Are The Blues
1964
LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith
1958
The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 2
1951
Our New Orleans 2005, A Benefit Album
2005
Martin Scorsese Presents - The Best Of The Blues
2003
Empty Bed Blues
1971
Pinetop's Blues
1966
Deep Are The Roots
1965
Traditional Blues - Volume Two
1960
Satchmo (A Musical Autobiography Of Louis Armstrong)
1957
The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 3
1951
The World's Greatest Blues Singer
1970
The Bill Broonzy Story
1961
Josh White
1958
Credited work
1,167 releases · 247 albums · active 1951–2025
- Performance · 2,733
- Other credits · 72
Studios: Newport Jazz Festival · RPM Studios · Unique Recording · Kampo Studios