Bessie Smith was born In Chattanooga, Tennessee in April 15, 1894. She was the most popular female blues singer known as “The Empress of the Blues”. She started her career by singing in tent shows in 1912, alongside another blues specialist Ma Rained. Bessie influenced other singers including Earth Franklin, Nina Simons, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Janis Joplin. Bessie Smith was married to jack Gee on June 7, 1923. She made her first record with Columbia records “Downhearted Blues” in 1923. It was a hit selling 780,000 copies. It was the best selling blues record to date.
Between 1923 and 1931, Smith recorded 160 songs for Columbia. Throughout the sass’s, she recorded with many famous musicians, including Fletcher Henderson and members of his band, and the pianist James P. Johnson, with whom she recorded her masterpiece “Backwater Blues”. In addition to recording blues, Smith traveled around the South America with her own show, which was wildly popular, In 1929, smith made her film appearance, In “SST. Louis Blues”. In the film, she sings the title song with members of Fletcher Henderson orchestra, the Hall Johnson Choir, pianist
James P. Johnson. Smith’s marriage to gee ended in 1929; Columbia records ended its nine-year contract with her. In 1937 she was killed in a car accident In Tennessee. Bessie Smith died on September 26th, 1937. 5 Most well-known songs: Down Hearted Blues SST. Louis Blues Backwater Blues Gulf coast Blues Nobody Knows you when you’re down and out Backwater Blues: 12 bar blues chord structure relaxed style. Smith has a laid-back, Smith frequently slides Into and out of notes (sliding in the vocals) The piano is responding to smith’s melodic line. A lot of repetition
In the 4th chorus the left hand is descending and low chords are played by the right hand. The tune changes. Smith remains in the same melody. The 5th chorus the piano sounds more march-like. Bessie Smith adds variation to certain pitches. Element of Improvisation Sad lyrics, slow tempo, steady beat, call and response In my opinion Bessie Smith has very strong and powerful vocal skills. I Like the way the pianist accompaniment style frequently changes during different verses of the song, he also tries to depict the meaning of the lyrics while playing. Bessie smith biography By trouble
Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in April 15, 1894. She was the most to Jack Gee on June 7, 1923. Masterpiece “Backwater Blues”. In addition to recording blues, Smith traveled around the South America with her own show, which was wildly popular. In 1929, Smith made her film appearance, in “SST. Louis Blues”. In the film, she sings the title nine-year contract with her. In 1937 she was killed in a car accident in Tennessee. Smith frequently slides into and out of notes (sliding in the vocals) The piano is Element of improvisation In my opinion Bessie Smith has very strong and powerful vocal skills.