Bessie Smith

In 1923, she married Jack Gee. The marriage was turbulent with both Bessie and Jack being infidels in their marriage. Jack kept questionable company and was shot several times.

Gee loved the money, but could not handle the ways of show business. He was could not come in terms with Bessie’s bisexuality and their relationship ended after Gee came to know about Bessie’s affair with Gertrude Saunders.

Later Bessie married Richard Morgan who was also a friend and they stayed together till her death.

On 15th April, 1894, Bessie was born in Chattanooga in Tennessee. She was among the seven children of William and Laura Smith. William earned his livings as a labourer and a part-time preacher. Bessie lost his parents at a tender age, and she was taken care of by Viola, her elder sister.

To combat financial crunch, Bessie and her brother Andrew started performing on streets. Bessie’s older brother Clarence who was part of a travelling troupe decided to take her to an audition for the troupe recognising her singing talent.

Bessie was taken as a dancer, as the troupe already had an established singer Ma Rainey. Ma Rainey worked as a mentor for young Bessie and she stayed with the troupe till 1915.

During the next few years, Bessie gradually moved to chorus lines and performed for ‘81 Theatre’ in Atlanta. She also worked in T.O.B.A or ‘Theatre Owner’s Booking Association’ shows which was a group owned by black people.

During the early phase of 1920s Bessie was staying in Philadelphia and she was approached by ‘Columbia Records’, who discovered Bessie’s amazing talent in singing.

In her first album, she sang a track known as ‘Downhearted Blues’ which instantly became famous and sold an approximate of 800,000 copies.

The chartbuster’s popularity made Bessie one of the most important names in Blues circuit. During this period, she recorded with some of the famous names in Blues like Don Redman, Fletcher Henderson, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong and James P. Johnson.

From 1923 to 1937 Bessie was a part of some of the most famous albums. One of her best renditions during this time was the ‘St. Louis Blues’ with Louis Armstrong. Some of the other famous tunes recorded in collaboration with Armstrong are ‘I Ain’t Gonna Play No Second Fiddle’ and ‘Cold in Hand Blues’.

In 1929, Bessie was part of the short film ‘St. Louis Blues’ and she sang the title track with Fletcher Henderson’s orchestra. James P Johnson’s piano piece and the Hall Johnson Choir were also a part of the composition.

‘Downhearted Blues’ is undoubtedly one of the most famous tracks of Bessie and in 2002 it was selected for inclusion in the ‘Library of Congress National Recording Registry’. This track is also a part of selection of songs listed under ‘Songs of the Century’. And the number is included among 500 songs in the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’.