Can you talk about style a little bit, because the thing about Bessie Smith is: Because she and Rainey and other people in the blues were precursors to the jazz singers that we're all familiar with, we almost take their sound for granted, right? Like
Though many people don't even know her name, Bessie Smith was a legend and an inspiration. She triumphed against amazing odds and circumstances, and sang her blues to the world. Blues and early Hoodoo tradition go together like, well I don't want to
Yes, ladies such as Bessie Smith did exist back during the Victorian era. Well, at least one woman like that was around. And she became the biggest-selling black female singer of her day. Even white audiences fell under Bessie Smith's spell, and the
Empire”) as Smith's first husband, Jack Gee; Khandi Alexander (“Scandal) as Smith's sister Viola; and Mo'Nique as blues legend Ma Rainey, a seminal influence on Smith's career. “Bessie,” which captures the singer's meteoric rise and commercial
Yes, ladies such as Bessie Smith did exist back during the Victorian era. Well, at least one woman like that was around. And she became the biggest-selling black female singer of her day. Even white audiences fell under Bessie Smith's spell, and the