Bessie Smith: Biography, Facts and Career
Who is Bessie Smith? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1892 – September 26, 1937) was an African-American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues" and formerly Queen of the Blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930s. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, she is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on fellow blues singers, as well as jazz vocalists. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Smith was young when her parents died, and she and her six siblings survived by performing on street corners. She began touring and performed in a group that included Ma Rainey, and then went out on her own. Her successful recording career with Columbia Records began in 1923, but her performing career was cut short by a car crash that killed her at the age of 45.
Quick facts about Bessie Smith
- Full name: Bessie Smith
- Born: 1894-04-15
- Nationality: United States
- Known as: Musician
- Wikidata ID: Q93349
Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Bessie Smith?
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1892 – September 26, 1937) was an African-American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age.
What nationality is Bessie Smith?
Bessie Smith is United States.
When was Bessie Smith born?
Bessie Smith was born on 1894-04-15.
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