Bessie Smith:

Born in 1894, Bessie Smith gained the nickname, The Empress (Queen) of the Blues, as she became the most popular female blues singer in the 1920's and 1930's. She is a major influence for other jazz vocalists. She started recording for Columbia Records in 1923. The label choice to establish a “race records” series and Smith’s song, “Cemetery Blues,” was the first song issued. Other big hits of Smith are “Gulf Coast Blues,” “Downhearted Blues,” and “Cake Walking Blues.”

Other Hits:

“Gulf Coast Blues”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoC9s-ylXvQ

“Downhearted Blues”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrLHXGHS-to

“Cake Walking Blues”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vat15SXdb_Y

1. Music from the Harlem Renaissance
2. Musician Billie (Lady Day) Holiday
3. Musician Chick Webb
4. Musician Duke Ellington
5. Musician Fats Waller
6. Musician Jelly Roll Morton
7. Musician Willie "The Lion" Smith