The Complete Biography of Bessie Smith: The Empress of the Blues
Introduction
Bessie Smith, the unparalleled “Empress of the Blues,” was a monumental figure in the history of American music. Born into poverty in the Southern United States, her powerful and emotive voice transcended the racial and social barriers of her time, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence artists today. Her life, marked by triumphs and tragedies, reflects the complexities of the African American experience in the early 20th century. This detailed biography explores Bessie Smith’s journey, from her humble beginnings to her stardom and her indelible impact on music and culture.
Childhood
Elizabeth “Bessie” Smith was born on April 15, 1894, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was the youngest of seven children born to Laura and William Smith. Her father, a Baptist minister and day laborer, passed away shortly after her birth. In 1906, her mother and brother Bud also died, leaving Bessie and her siblings orphaned and under the care of an aunt.
Growing up in poverty, Bessie and her brother Andrew began performing on the streets of Chattanooga to earn money for the family. Bessie sang and danced while Andrew played the guitar, often performing on “street corners for pennies”. Their usual spot was in front of the White Elephant Saloon, in the heart of the city’s African-American community. This early experience of performing on the streets shaped her stage presence and her ability to connect with the audience.
Youth
In 1912, Bessie’s older brother, Clarence, who had left home to join a small traveling troupe owned by Moses Stokes, returned to Chattanooga. He arranged an audition for Bessie with the troupe managers, Lonnie and Cora Fisher. Bessie was hired as a dancer, as the company already included the popular singer Ma Rainey. Although Ma Rainey did not teach Bessie to sing, she helped her develop her stage presence and navigate the world of show business.
Over the next decade, Bessie Smith continued to perform in various theaters and on the vaudeville circuit, becoming one of the main attractions of the Theater Owners Booking Association (T.O.B.A.), a Black-owned entertainment circuit. She began forming her own act around 1913, at the “81” Theatre in Atlanta. By 1920, she had already established a reputation in the South and on the East Coast of the United States.
Adulthood
In the early 1920s, Bessie Smith settled in Philadelphia. In 1923, she signed a contract with Columbia Records, marking the beginning of her successful recording career. Her first recording session for Columbia was on February 15, 1923, and included the track “Downhearted Blues,” which became a massive hit, selling approximately 800,000 copies and propelling Smith into blues stardom. With her rich and powerful voice, Smith quickly became a successful recording artist and toured extensively. She even bought a custom railroad car for her troupe to travel and sleep in.
During her recording career, Smith collaborated with many important jazz musicians, such as saxophonist Sidney Bechet and pianists Fletcher Henderson and James P. Johnson. With Johnson, she recorded one of her most famous songs, “Backwater Blues.” Smith also collaborated with the legendary jazz artist Louis Armstrong on several songs, including “Cold in Hand Blues,” “I Ain’t Gonna Play No Second Fiddle,” and “St. Louis Blues”. By the end of the 1920s, Smith was the highest-paid Black entertainer of her time and had earned the title of “Empress of the Blues”.
However, at the height of her success, Smith’s career began to decline, partly due to the financial ravages of the Great Depression and a change in cultural mores. In 1929, she and her husband, Jack Gee, permanently separated, and by the end of 1931, Smith had stopped working with Columbia. Nevertheless, always a dedicated performer, Smith adapted her repertoire and continued to tour. In 1933, Smith was contacted by producer John Hammond to make new recordings, which already hinted at the coming Swing Era.
Offstage, Bessie Smith was a volatile personality with a great appetite for life. She drank and was open about her romantic relationships with both men and women. During her marriage to Gee, Smith informally adopted a six-year-old boy and named him Jack Jr. However, as her and Gee’s relationship became strained, Gee used their son as a bargaining chip, eventually kidnapping him and accusing Smith of being a neglectful and incompetent mother. A court ruling first gave custody to Smith’s sister Viola, and later to Jack Jr.’s biological father, who neglected the boy and sometimes forgot to feed him.
Major Compositions
Bessie Smith’s discography is vast, containing 160 recorded songs that capture the essence of the blues and her powerful voice. Her recordings not only established her as the “Empress of the Blues” but also influenced generations of musicians. Some of her most notable compositions and recordings include:
•”Downhearted Blues” (1923): This was the recording that launched Bessie Smith to stardom. Released by Columbia Records, it sold approximately 800,000 copies, an impressive number for the time, and solidified her position as a dominant force in blues music.
•”St. Louis Blues” (1925): Recorded with the legendary Louis Armstrong, this collaboration is considered a landmark in music history. The interaction between Smith’s expressive voice and Armstrong’s trumpet created an iconic performance that is revered to this day. This song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993.
•”Backwater Blues” (1927): Recorded with James P. Johnson, this song is a powerful example of Smith’s ability to convey emotion and narrative through her music. The lyrics describe the hardships and resilience in the face of floods, a common theme in blues music.
•”Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (1929): Released shortly before the Great Depression, this song became an anthem for many during difficult times. Smith’s interpretation of the melancholic lyrics resonated deeply with the public, making it one of her most popular songs.
•”Empty Bed Blues” (1928): This song, known for its suggestive lyrics and Smith’s powerful vocal performance, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1983.
Throughout her career, Bessie Smith recorded with many of the biggest names in jazz and blues, including Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, Joe Smith, and Charlie Green. Her recordings are a testament to her unparalleled vocal talent and her ability to infuse every note with emotion and authenticity. She didn’t just sing the blues; she lived the blues, and this shone through in each of her performances and recordings.
Death
On September 26, 1937, Bessie Smith was on her way to a show in Memphis, Tennessee, with her long-time companion, Richard Morgan. Morgan lost control of the car, which crashed into a truck. Smith was thrown from the vehicle and was severely injured. She died from her injuries at a hospital in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She was 43 years old.
Smith’s funeral was held in Philadelphia a week later, with thousands of people attending to pay their respects. She was buried in Mount Lawn Cemetery in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Bessie Smith’s death was a tragic event that prematurely ended the life of one of the greatest voices in blues. However, her legacy and music continue to resonate, influencing countless artists and captivating new generations of fans.
Conclusion
Bessie Smith, the “Empress of the Blues,” left an indelible mark on music history. Her powerful voice and her ability to convey the depth of the human experience, especially that of Black women in early 20th-century America, made her an iconic figure. She broke barriers, became the highest-paid Black artist of her time, and influenced generations of singers, including Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin.
Her life was a mixture of tremendous success and personal struggles, but her art remained authentic and powerful. Bessie Smith’s music continues to be celebrated for its honesty, passion, and the sheer force of her voice. She didn’t just sing the blues; she embodied the blues, and her legacy as one of the greatest singers of all time is undeniable. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of music.
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