Bessy Smith - Tain't Nobodys Business If I Do (1923)

Bessie Smith (jul.9,1892 or apr.15,1894 - sep.26,1937) was Americas most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and '30s.

Smith is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era, and along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on subsequent jazz vocalists.

As a way of earning money for their impoverished household, Smith and her brother Andrew began performing on the streets of Chattanooga as a duo, she singing and dancing, he accompanying on guitar; their preferred location was in front of the White Elephant Saloon at Thirteenth and Elm streets in the heart of the city's African-American community.

In 1904, her oldest brother, Clarence, covertly left home by joining a small traveling troupe owned by Moses Stokes. "If Bessie had been old enough, she would have gone with him," said Clarence's widow, Maud. "That's why he left without telling her, but Clarence told me she was ready, even then. Of course, she was only a child."

In 1912, Clarence returned to Chattanooga with the Stokes troupe and arranged for its managers, Lonnie and Cora Fisher, to give her an audition. She was hired as a dancer rather than a singer, because the company also included Ma Rainey.

By the early 1920s, Smith had starred with Sidney Bechet in How Come?, a musical that made its way to Broadway, and spent several years working out of Atlanta, Georgia's 81 Theater, performing in black theaters along the East Coast. Following a run-in with the producer of How Come?, she was replaced by Alberta Hunter and returned to Philadelphia, where she had taken up residence. There, she met and fell in love with Jack Gee, a security guard whom she married on June 7, 1923, just as her first recordings were being released by Columbia Records. The marriage was a stormy one, with infidelity on both sides. During the marriage, Smith became the biggest headliner on the black Theater Owners Booking Association ( T.O.B.A.) circuit, running a show that sometimes featured as many as 40 troupers and made her the highest-paid black entertainer of her day. Gee was impressed by the money, but never adjusted to show business life, and especially not Smith's bisexuality. In 1929, when Smith learned of Gee's affair with another performer, Gertrude Saunders, she ended the marriage, but never sought a legal divorce. Smith eventually found a common-law husband in an old friend, Richard Morgan, who was Lionel Hampton's uncle and the antithesis of her husband. She stayed with him until her death.

Bessy Smith - Tain't Nobodys Business If I Do (1923)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bessy
• Smith
• 1923
• 20's
• 30's

[brennaboo]

One of the best damn songs ever ever ever. Ever. I love you Bessie Smith.

[sandydidit]

This 1923 original Bessie version of a much-covered tune is the greatest pop song of the 20th century. It's also a fave of modern libertarians...

No matter your political persuasion, spread the news about Bessie Smith's greatness.

[MultiPrettygurl92]

I LOVE DIS SONG!!!!

[plafkinfarms]

I have never heard of Bessy Smith before I found this site; for the older generation, this must truly bring back wonderful memories. Sometimes it is hard to experience the emotions and feelings of those who have gone before us; Bessy Smith obviously expresses those feelings. Roger Plafkin-Plafkin Farms

[InjuryDuty]

@duncantrussell sent me here! Long Live The Lavender Hour!

[NoRosesForMe]

why is there an ad on a song that is public domain? At least I think this is public domain. I hate Youtube. But thanks for posting. Peace

[Squarerig]

Just a voice and a piano-no electronics;nothing else and what an effect.Marvellous!!

[willpn100]

The honking melody of rock and roll music has a clearly defined ancestry in jazz going back to Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith of 90 years ago. Bessie Smith was ahead of her time.

[woos2045]

heaveeee duty man....one could base an era of music off this chick

[lonergan2468]

Just wish I could step back in time and be there, esp the St Louis blues recording. Apparantly, so it has been said, you could hear her five blocks away..without a mike !

[newcreature2011]

@jazzscherzo Indeed!

[laughingowl28]

such soul! no wonder she is immortal.