Bessie Smith - St. Louis Blues (1925)

Bessie Smith (July 9,1892 or April 15,1894 - Sept.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.

n 1920, sales figures for "Crazy Blues," an Okeh Records recording by singer Mamie Smith (no relation) pointed to a new market. The recording industry had not directed its product to blacks, but the success of the record led to a search for female blues singers. Bessie Smith was signed by Columbia Records in 1923 and her first session for Columbia was February 15, 1923. For most of 1923, her records were issued on Columbia's regular A- series; when the label decided to establish a "race records" series, Smith's "Cemetery Blues" was the first issued.

She scored a big hit with her first release, a coupling of "Gulf Coast Blues" and "Downhearted Blues," which its composer Alberta Hunter had already turned into a hit on the Paramount label. Smith became a headliner on the black T.O.B.A. circuit and rose to become its top attraction in the 1920s. Working a heavy theater schedule during the winter months and doing tent tours the rest of the year (eventually traveling in her own railroad car), Smith became the highest-paid black entertainer of her day. Columbia nicknamed her "Queen of the Blues", but a PR-minded press soon upgraded her title to "Empress".

She made some 160 recordings for Columbia, often accompanied by the finest musicians of the day, most notably Louis Armstrong, James P. Johnson, Joe Smith, Charlie Green, and Fletcher Henderson.


Bessie Smith - St. Louis Blues (1925)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bessie
• Smith
• 1925
• 20s
• 30s

[heinbanjo12]

This is so classic. And Fred Longshaw on harmonium. He made 2 records and just 2 of the most beautifull in the jazz history. Armstrong cornet and the great Bessie Smith.

[edmundusrex]

Thank you for the infomation.

[Urbino237]

Louis was just 24 - unbelievable. What remarkable sensitivity to and mature respect for the composition. How can a 24 year-old do that?

By this time he had left King Oliver's band and joined Fletcher Henderson's (6 months before this recording date) - no doubt masterful influences both - but here Louis sounds like a horn player at least 20 years his senior, testament to his musical 'genius'.

After 45 years I have yet to tire of this recording - a sublimely restrained performance.

[DianeandDick]

@heinbanjo12 I agree completely. This is, easily, the finest rendition I've ever heard. Bessie could sing blues that almost hurt it was so good! And, Louis' accompaniment is just perfect. I do like some swing era versions (Glenn Miller, Benny). But, this is the top version, IMOP.

[stevevandien]

The information provided by edmundusrex never explicitly says that Armstrong was playing cornet here. That he was is a matter of recorded history. Ditto re. Fred Longshaw on harmonium.

[sirjuandabicho]

Bellísima grabación, muchas gracias por compartirla.

[peopleperson235]

Believe it or not, she framed artists like Beyonce and Alicia Keys

[dtolbiac]

@AMADORMATEHUALA

On cornet !



[AMADORMATEHUALA]

Louis Armstrong on trumpet.

Fond memories of Bessie!

[Maxine5509]

Ben Johnson of 100 monkeys brought me here.

[TheKoolaid30]

Fred Sanford brought me here.

[MsTWEEKIE]

So much emotion. This lady was phenomenal,gives me goose bumps.

[MrDrewlips]

ma rainey's black bottom