Bessie Smith- (April 15th, 1894- Sept 26th 1937) “ There aint nothin’ I can do, or nothin’ I can say, that folks don’t criticize me. But im going do just as I want anyway”

Introduction Known as the Empress of the Blues Performed with Famous Jazz and blues artists such as Ma Rainy and Louis Armstrong Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1894 Her music stands historically as the exact halfway point between black and white singing styles in the 1920s. (known as vaudeville Blues) or Classic Blues Bessie was a woman with a huge appetite for life and was an unapologetically bisexual woman and alcoholic which influenced her music and life greatly Was a major African American influence and has changed the lives of people as diverse as Billie Holiday to James Baldwin Bessie smith represents the highest point reached by a African American singer in the 1920s

Early Life and Career Bessie Smith was born into poverty in the 1894 Started Performing on street corners and by the age of 9 made her professional debut at the Ivory theater in Chattanooga TN Bessie was Discovered by Ma Rainy around 1912 and took her on the road performing in Olio's and small time traveling tent shows. Bessie was signed to Columbia records in (1923) When her first Hit “Down Hearted Blues” was released it was an immediate success selling over 2 million copies As a result of her hit, she started touring on the best race artist vaudeville circuits booked by the Toby, or TOBA, short for Theater Owners Booking Association Even though she was paid little for the sale of her songs and got no royalties, she still was the highest paid African American entertainer of her time

“Downhearted Blues” (1924) http://youtu.be/nobsWuEScl0

Stylistic Points of Emphasis Please notice the following : 12 bar blues form - Breaks with the piano Chord Changes. The introduction of a predominately urban instrument the piano Notice connection between the African American blues tradition and vaudeville music (style of pianist) The Ability of Bessie’s passionate voice to overcome the primitive recording quality of the time

Mid/ Late Career Bessie smith continued to record steadily throughout the decade of the 1920’s Her summer tent show Harlem Frolics was a big success and ran during 1925-1927, and Mississippi Days in 1928 kept her career momentum going However By 1929 the blues were falling out of fashion and Bessie Smith’s career was on the decline despite being at the peak of her singing powers (age 35)

“Nobody knows you when your down and out” (1929) http://youtu.be/6MzU8xM99Uo

Stylistic Points of Emphasis 12 Bar blues form Clarinet (classic blues instrument) Realism and personal content of lyrics “Bending” of voice to that enabled her to slide up and down different notes of chords Great use of “Melisma” ( the singing of several notes on a single syllable of text)

Death and cultural impact Despite the changing times and tastes Bessie smiths career was on the rise with the towards the end of her life She died in a tragic controversial car accident in (1937) Bessie smiths impact on American music is great with iconic artist still covering her music She impacted many aspects of music including blues, vaudeville, jazz, gospel, musical theater and even film

St. Louis Blues (1929) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Who6fTHJ34

Stylistic Points of Emphasis Call And Response pattern Excellent Diction Ability To improvise Strong Sense of pitch “Growling in voice” Clever use of Musical dynamics The overall power of Bessie's voice Gospel Influence “Lining out” of lyrics

Thank you for your time. Andrew Sheldon Affleck