RIP, Bessie Smith (1894-1937)

Blues singer Bessie Smith died on September 26, 1937, at the age of 43, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, following an automobile accident.

Smith was known as the Empress of the Blues, but she was also the first major jazz singer and can be said to have used the blues in jazz. Her phrasing, in particular, allowed her to transcend the rigid framework of the blues.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Bessie Smith's album, Nobody's Blues But Mine (Columbia CG 31093, 2 LPs). Unfortunately, the album is only available in vinyl. (There is a CD with the same title but without the same tracks.) Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, recommends instead the following:

• Bessie Smith: The Essential Bessie Smith (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• Bessie Smith: Bessie Smith - The Collection (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 5 (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  

An excellent example of Smith's singing is "Reckless Blues," which she sings with accompaniment by Louis Armstrong on the cornet and Fred Longshaw on the reed organ. The call and response between Smith and Armstrong is remarkable.

Robert
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