Bessie Smith
Cassandra Nanninga
BIOGRAPHY
Bessie Smith, born April 15, 1894, grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee in destitution. She would sing on the street for money. Bessie soon later, though grew to be a well known Blues and Jazz artist. She is known for being "The Empress of the Blues." Her songs would draw people in, with her vocal tones and emotion. The songs expressed what Bessie was feeling. The people listening to the music could feel the intense pull on their emotions with hers, almost as if their emotions were linked with hers. Bessie was first hired as a dancer, but along with the dancing her singing improved and soon she was adding comedy too. Bessie was mentored by Ma Rainey and developed some of "Ma's" style and morphed it into her own. She married Jack Gee, and adopted a son and named him Jack Gee Jr. Jack and Bessie didn't get along very well in the end. Their arguments ended up in fights and soon they ended their marriage. Jack tried to keep their son away from Bessie for many years by moving to different homes around the United States, this resulted in Bessie becoming depressed and an alcoholic. Bessie's career and life ended on September 26, 1937 in a car wreck.
Little Blues
Bessie Smith said she never did remember much of her childhood. Mainly just because when she was nine years old she was in school plays and her first professional debut was at the Ivory Theater. She loved to roller skate and she won the state championships when she was little also.
Inspirations
W.C. Handy was said to be one of Bessie's inspirations. W.C. Handy was a song writer and known as, "Father of the Blues". He was the one who first wrote and publicized the Blues.
Singing and Believing
Bessie Smith, might not have sang the type of music that everyone liked, but she managed to make it sound so good. When Bessie sang you could tell she was putting her heart and soul into the lyrics. No one could forget that passion.
Video
Bessie Smith - Mini Bio
Question to the video:
1. Why did Bessie Smith have her own railroad car?
2. Which record company discovered Bessie Smith?