Bessie Smith – Biography and History
Bessie Smith, often hailed as the “Empress of the Blues,” was a pioneering figure in American music history whose soulful voice and powerful performances left an indelible mark on the world of blues. Born on April 15, 1894, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Smith’s early life was marked by poverty and hardship. She was one of seven children born to Laura and William Smith, who died when Bessie was just a young girl. Despite these challenges, Smith found solace in music, singing on the streets of Chattanooga for spare change.
Smith’s big break came in 1912 when she joined the Moses Stokes Company, a traveling vaudeville troupe that exposed her to a wider audience. It was during this time that she honed her craft and developed her signature style, characterized by her deep, resonant voice and emotionally charged delivery. In 1923, Smith signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, launching her career as a recording artist.