More on Bessie Smith Born in Tennessee in 1894, Bessie had a rough childhood spent mostly in poverty after her father and mother died at the age of nine. by one of the female characters, played by Smith. Gertrude Ma Rainey (ne Pridgett; April 26, 1886 December 22, 1939) was an influential American blues singer and early blues recording artist. [45], The 1948 short story "Blue Melody", by J. D. Salinger, and the 1959 play The Death of Bessie Smith, by Edward Albee, are based on Smith's life and death, but poetic license was taken by both authors; for instance, Albee's play distorts the circumstances of her medical treatment, or lack of it, before her death, attributing it to racist medical practitioners. 1923-1937 Bessie Smith/Spouse. Handy. What happened to Bessie Smiths son? - Heimduo This last betrayal effectively ended She was known for her rich contralto voice and her breathtaking emotional intensity. Seven thousand admirers stood outside the Lodge on . Could she have been saved? Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Smith was young when her parents died, and she and her six siblings survived by performing on street corners. Queen Latifah stars as Smith in HBOs Bessie, while Oscar winner Monique steals a few scenes as Rainey. But as her and Gee's relationship became strained, Gee would use their son as a bargaining chip, eventually kidnapping him and accusing Smith of being a neglectful, incompetent mother. A monumental figure in her own time and beyond, the great Bessie Smith was born on April 15, 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). -Bessie Smith, "Young Woman's Blues" Questioning the Story: Smith's career was cut short by the Great Depression, which nearly put the recording industry out of business, and the advent of sound in film, which spelled the end of vaudeville. -'Bessie' by Chris Albertson. She was openly bisexual, dating both men and women, and ended up in a tumultuous marriage with Jack Geea man who would eventually become her manager. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. -'Bessie' by Chris Albertson. Which Is More Stable Thiophene Or Pyridine. In the dark, early-morning hours, Bessie's lover, Richard Morgan, was driving her old Packard south along U.S. Route 61 when it is believed that he misjudged the speed of a slow-moving truck down the road. Not only does she sing Bessie's songs in the movie, she performed the songs for the movie's soundtrack as well. As word of her death spread through Philadelphia's black community, her body had to be moved to the O. V. Catto Elks Lodge to accommodate the estimated 10,000 mourners who filed past her coffin on Sunday, October 3. around with a younger woman. HBO film recalls my interviews with Bessie Smith's son Lucille (Tika Sumpter) is likely a composite of several people, including Bessie Smith's niece by marriage, Ruby Walker, who was a close companion and a performer in her aunt's shows. Bessie HBO accuracy: Fact vs. fiction in the HBO biopic of Bessie Smith The film, based on the lyrics of the song, which Smith sings, is the only known footage of the singer and shows the emotional power of her performance. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Though Bessie treated him like a son, years later it was discovered that the adoption had never been legal. Her first electrical recording was "Cake Walking Babies [From Home]", recorded on May 5, 1925. In "Prove it On Me", performed by Ma Rainey, Rainey famously sang, "Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. Through the rest of the 1920s, Bessie Smith became one of the earliest stars of recorded music and a leading figure of what came to be called classic blues (a genre dominated by African. Bessie (2015) Starring Queen Latifah, Michael Kenneth Williams, Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps | based on the biography 'Bessie' by Chris Albertson No time to marry, no time to settle down; I'm a young woman, and I ain't done runnin' aroun'. Jack Gee, who was the hus band of Bessie Smith, the late blues singer, died Monday at his home in Philadelphia. Bessie and Richard found themselves at rather similar places in their lives. Some 7,000 mourners attended her funeral. in Philadelphia in the hopes that the investment might encourage Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Benny Goodman, who happened to be recording with Ethel Waters in the adjoining studio, dropped by and is barely audible on one selection. Smith was thrown from the vehicle and badly injured. The band included such swing era musicians as the trombonist Jack Teagarden, the trumpeter Frankie Newton, the tenor saxophonist Chu Berry, the pianist Buck Washington, the guitarist Bobby Johnson, and the bassist Billy Taylor. Dubbed the "Mother of the Blues", she bridged earlier vaudeville and the authentic expression of southern blues, influencing a generation of blues singers.Rainey was known for her powerful vocal abilities, energetic disposition, majestic phrasing . 48. By the end of the 1920s, however, her popularity had lessened, though she continued to perform and made new recordings at the start of the Swing Era. Smith had a strong contralto voice,[17] which recorded well from her first session, which was conducted when recordings were made acoustically. 215-248-8800, GMAs live broadcast celebrates Chestnut Hill, Young opera singer is already reaching for the stars, Non Voyage: Tips for those who are staying behind, Lessons on summertime leisure from down the shore, Experience a taste of Europe at Chestnut Hill's Cider Belly, Staycation summer: Discover the lure of local gems, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. The first person on the scene was a Memphis surgeon, Dr. Hugh Smith (no relation). In 1912, she joined a traveling vaudeville troupe, the Rabbit Foot Minstrels and spent the next decade singing in minstrel shows and cabarets all around the South. in June 1929. Warren was one of Bessie's chorus girls. "she was even nasty to Bessie, who did everything for her." Taken singularly, they're great . discovered by Columbia Records. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. We know that Smith was gravely injuredher arm was nearly severedin the accident. Dubbed the Mother of the Blues, she bridged earlier vaudeville and the authentic expression of southern blues, influencing a generation of blues singers. Bessie Smith Study Guide: Controversy Plans had just been announced to build the Bessie Smith Hall. The Oscar-winning actress became larger than life Ma Rainey with the help of gold teeth, charcoal-like makeup, and a wig made of horsehair. creating and saving your own notes as you read. "Take Me for a Buggy Ride" and "Gimme a Pigfoot", both written by Wesley Wilson, were among her most popular recordings.[6]. She signed a contract (with an X, according to Jack, Jr.) in the early 1920s which obliged the record company to pay Bessie the laughable sum of $125 for each side of each record she would make and never a penny more, even though she wound up selling millions of records. Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 September 26, 1937) was an African-American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. In February 1923 Smith made her first recordings, including the classic Down Hearted Blues, which became an enormous success, selling more than two million copies. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The truck's tailgate sheared off the wooden roof of Bessie's Packard. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In 1929, she and Gee permanently separated, and by the end of 1931 Smith had stopped working with Columbia altogether. said the man. Bessie Chris Albertson's celebrated biography recounts that conversation and plenty of other stories from people who knew or did business with Smith. This was not trueRainey was Smiths friend and mentorbut it made for great publicity. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Orphaned at the age of nine and raised by her older sisters and . While is there isnt a definite origin as to who exactly created the Blues, we do have a good idea as to how it came to us today:W.C. Many newspaper editorials around the country denounced this apparent case of blatant racism, suggesting that her life might have been saved if the whites-only hospital had treated her. Around 1906 her mother and two of her brothers died and Smith and her remaining siblings were raised by their aunt. Handy. It reads, The Greatest Blues Singer in the World Will Never Stop Singing.. In an act of revenge, Jack Gee kidnapped Jack Gee, Jr. from Bessie's Philadelphia home and brought the boy to the offices of the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children (SPCC). And the Bessie Smith Strut was no different. Jack Gee (1889-1973), Bessie's extremely violent husband from whom she had been separated, thwarted all efforts to purchase a stone, once or twice even pocketing money raised for that purpose, according to researchers of Bessie. July 9, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 In the 2015 HBO film Bessie, Queen Latifah portrays Smith, focusing on the struggle and transition of Smith's life and sexuality. To ease her Ma Raineys Black Bottom Shows the True Story Of a Musician Determined to Live On Her Own Terms. The man left the room and they thought the altercation was over. Rainey took Smith under her wing, and over the next decade, Smith continued to perform at various theaters and on the vaudeville circuit. [24], Smith was paid a non-royalty fee of $37.50 for each selection on these Okeh sides, which were her last recordings. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Bessie never had any biological children, but in the Queen Latifah movie we see her (informally) adopted son, Jack Gee, Jr. (1919-1995), who had been born to the niece of one of Smiths chorus girls, Margaret Warren. song "St. Louis Blues" while standing against a bar with a glass On 15 June 1519 Bessie Blount gave birth to a son - the illegitimate son of the king. She was 43. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. lighter-skinned rival who has an affair with the boyfriend of the While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Want 100 or more? This Bessie Smith documentary produced by Biography Early life Smith in 1936 The 1900 census indicates that her family reported that Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July 1892. She was an icon for her race . Bessie Smith had been in show business since she was a teenager. In 1933, John Henry Hammond, who also mentored Billie Holiday, asked Smith to record four sides for Okeh (which had been acquired by Columbia Records in 1925). In 1923, Smith released her first record, Down-Hearted Blues. It sold nearly 800,000 copies and made her a superstar. The blood and tears are Davis but, The sweat is from my makeup artist.. The SPCC then sent the boy to a home in Valhalla, In 1933, when she made the Okeh sides, she was still touring. The play was a flop; top critics said she was its only asset. and her boyfriend chooses the other woman. In exploring the Bessie movie true story, we discovered that Bessie set up her bank account so that Jack needed Viola's signature in order to withdraw money when Bessie was away. "That's why he left without telling her, but Clarence told me she was ready, even then. Dont have an account? Then we drove away in the car!, 8434 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118 Smith grew up in poverty and obscurity. 1895-1937) was a blues and jazz singer from the Harlem Renaissance who is remembered at as the Empress of the Blues. Her father died soon after her birth and her mother and two of her brothers died by the time she was eight or nine. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Discount, Discount Code Enter a date in the format M/D (e.g., 1/1), Blues singer Bessie Smith, killed in Mississippi car wreck, is buried, Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey Forged a Powerful Friendship That Helped Bring Blues to the Mainstream, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blues-singer-bessie-smith-killed-in-mississippi-car-wreck-is-buried, Englishman wins the first US Open golf tournament, Man who served 25 years for murder exonerated by DNA, This Day in History: 10/04/1957 - Sputnik Launched, Brooklyn Dodgers win their first World Series, Televangelist Jim Bakker is indicted on federal charges, President Lincoln watches a balloon ascension, Germany telegraphs President Wilson seeking armistice, General Eisenhower warns of the risk of shell shock. Bessie Smith Lyrics, Songs, and Albums Mr. Gee, a former policeman, married Miss Smith in 1923,. An ambulance rushed Bessie to the hospital. She has been a primary influence for countless female vocalists including Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin and has been immortalized in numerous works. Print Page Portrait of Bessie Smith holding feathers Carl Van Vechten, Portrait of Bessie Smith holding feathers, Feb 3, 1936. In 1912 Smith began performing as a dancer in the Moses Stokes minstrel show, and soon thereafter in the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, of which blues vocalist .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Ma Rainey was a member. -NPR, Yes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What you may not know is the true story behind the project, which concerns a once-in-a-generation musician ahead of her timea woman determined to control her art and her life on her own terms. Additionally, she incorporated commentary on social issues like poverty, intra-racial conflict, and female sexuality into her lyrics. Since her death, Smiths music continues to win over new fans, and collections of her songs have continued to sell extremely well over the years. In 1925, she survived a stabbing by an enraged man in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The play consists of a series of conversations between Bernie and his friend Jack, Jack and an off-stage Bessie, and black and white staff of a whites-only hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on the death date of the famous blues singer, Bessie Smith, who . Bessie Smith was much more than just a blues singer. She Had Humble Beginnings Bessie Smith was born sometime around July, 1892 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to William Urie, a Baptist preacher, and his wife Laura. Bessie Smith, in full Elizabeth Smith, (born April 15, 1894?, Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.died September 26, 1937, Clarksdale, Mississippi), American singer, one of the greatest blues vocalists. Queen Latifah told the press that she had been working on the project for 20 years. 1. He estimated she had lost about a half pint of blood, and immediately noted a major traumatic injury: her right arm was almost completely severed at the elbow. She has been a primary influence for countless female vocalists including Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin and has been immortalized in numerous works. As a consequence, Bessie was unable to gain an education.[6][7]. Did Bessie Smith have any biological children? Bessie Smith was one of the greatest blues vocalists ever. Wed love to have you back! She once auditioned for Black Swan Records (W. E. B. "Who in the hell are you?" Shortly after she died, a front page story in the New York Times said that an ambulance driver rushed Bessie's severely injured body to the nearest hospital in Clarksdale, Mississippi, but that the hospital refused to admit her because it was a whites-only hospital. Smith's music stressed independence, fearlessness, and sexual freedom, implicitly arguing that working-class women did not have to alter their behavior to be worthy of respect.[15]. She made 160 recordings in all, in many of which she was accompanied by some of the great jazz musicians of the time, including Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong. Bessie Smith is born in Chattanooga, Tennessee What black female singer died in a car accident? Despite her success, neither she nor her music was accepted in all circles. Her recording Most historians now agree that the stories are apocryphal: Smith did make it to the hospital, but her injuries were so severe that it made no difference. Bessie Smith's son's name was Jack Gee jr. She named him after her husband (Jack Gee)divorced her. time off touring to nurse him back to health. [8][29], "The Bessie Smith ambulance would not have gone to a white hospital; you can forget that", Hugh Smith told Albertson. There Gee filed false neglect and endangerment charges against Smith. He attributed her death to extensive and severe crush injuries to the entire right side of her body, consistent with a sideswipe collision.[27]. They altered the apparent key of her performances (sometimes raised or lowered by as much as a semitone). Of course, she was only a child."[9]. Like in the movie, it was then that Bessie brought her clenched fists down on the man's head. the 1920s and earned the nickname "The HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Smith's funeral was a lavish affair. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The show's live segment starts at 8 a.m., so it's best to get there between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Along with Ma Rainey and Mamie Smith, singer Bessie Smith helped pioneer the genre of blues music and propel it into popular culture. Contact us Tragic Facts About Bessie Smith, The Empress Of The Blues Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! The Depression, changing musical tastes that favored jazz and swing instead of vaudeville blues and the singers severe alcoholism made it nearly impossible for her to find work. We have recently launched a new and improved website. Jack Gee removed his niece from Bessie's life, either by manipulation or force, and Ruby ended up joining Jack's mistress Gertrude Saunders' show. The circumstances of Smith's death and the rumor reported by Hammond formed the basis for Edward Albee's 1959 one-act play The Death of Bessie Smith. Chris Albertson's biography confirms what is implied in the HBO. Smith flashed his lights in warning, but the oncoming car failed to slow and plowed into his car at full speed. Her most notable songs included Taint Nobodys Biz-ness If I Do, Careless Love Blues, Empty Bed Blues, Nobody Knows You When Youre Down and Out, and Gimme a Pigfoot.. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. [8] Contemporary accounts indicate that, while Ma Rainey did not teach Smith to sing, she likely helped her develop a stage presence. Smith's character catches them together, She has been a primary influence for countless female vocalists including Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin and has been immortalized in numerous works. The great tragedy of her career was that she outlived the topicality of her idiom.