Post by kacyds on Feb 24, 2016 12:44:26 GMT -5
From Jazz, Blues, Country to Pop and anything in between, show them here....
Scott# 2854
The “Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith was born in 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Smith’s musical career began early, in fact out of necessity – as a child she was so poor, she sang in the streets for pennies. Her first stage appearance was at age nine at the Ivory Theatre. From this humble start, Smith went on to tour. Her big break was starring in Ma and Pa Rainey’s traveling vaudeville shows, where she perfected her skills.
By the early 1920s, Smith was an attraction on her own, which lead to the recording studio. In 1923 she made her first recording, “Downhearted Blues.” The song was immensely popular, selling an unprecedented 750,000 copies. Bessie Smith went on to record over 100 songs, in blues and pop styles.
Stories credit Ma Rainey with introducing Smith to the blues, but she named an unknown singer, Cora Fischer, as her first inspiration. Smith created the jazz-blues style of singing. She preferred polished,“educated” musicians, such as pianist Fletcher Henderson or organist Fred Longshaw, as her bandleaders. Smith sang with an incredible list of stars, including Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. In 1937 Smith was fatally injured in an auto accident – many believe her medical care was delayed due to the color of her skin.
Scott# 2854
The “Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith was born in 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Smith’s musical career began early, in fact out of necessity – as a child she was so poor, she sang in the streets for pennies. Her first stage appearance was at age nine at the Ivory Theatre. From this humble start, Smith went on to tour. Her big break was starring in Ma and Pa Rainey’s traveling vaudeville shows, where she perfected her skills.
By the early 1920s, Smith was an attraction on her own, which lead to the recording studio. In 1923 she made her first recording, “Downhearted Blues.” The song was immensely popular, selling an unprecedented 750,000 copies. Bessie Smith went on to record over 100 songs, in blues and pop styles.
Stories credit Ma Rainey with introducing Smith to the blues, but she named an unknown singer, Cora Fischer, as her first inspiration. Smith created the jazz-blues style of singing. She preferred polished,“educated” musicians, such as pianist Fletcher Henderson or organist Fred Longshaw, as her bandleaders. Smith sang with an incredible list of stars, including Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. In 1937 Smith was fatally injured in an auto accident – many believe her medical care was delayed due to the color of her skin.
