| Bessie Smith |
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Biography | ||
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Born: 1894? Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee Instrument: Vocalist Music Training: Self taught Bands and Orchestras: Sang in tent shows Signature Song: "Down Hearted Blues" Bessie Smith bio: Beesie Smith was one of six surviving children born to William and Laura Smith. She wass raised in extreme poverty and had lost both of her parents by the age of 9. To support the family Bessie and a younger brother performed as a guitar/vocalist combo on the streets of Chattanooga. After a brother left home to perform with a small traveling theater company Bessie realized taht she could earn a living as a performer. She was discovered by a music director while touring with a minstrel show. She moved to New York and was signed to a recording contract by Columbia Records when the blues became popular during the early 20s. There she recorded with some of the best black musicians of her time. Her recordings, extremely popular among the black population were almost unknown among the white audience until her death. During this period she was extremely successful working the theater circuit during the winter months and tent shows during the summer. She became the highest paid black entertainer of her day. Her career was cut short by th edepression and the advent of the talking picture shows which meant the end of vaudeville. Died: 1937
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