BESSIE SMITH

Harlem Renaissance Research PowerPoint

BESSIE ’S C ONT RIBUT ION T O HARLEM RENAISSANCE

Bessie’s major contribution was recording her crazy

blues. These recordings helped save Colombia

Records from bankruptcy because of their high

record sales. She was also considered the highest

paid female African American entertainers in the

United States of America. Even though Bessie did

pass away she will always be remembered as the

Empress of Blues.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

April 15, 1894 was the day Bessie Smith was introduced to the world.

She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bessie was one of the seven

children of William and Laura Smith. Throughout her childhood it was

not easy. She was raised in poverty in the south, her older sister Viola

took care of her once her parents had both passed away. Smith ran

away as a teenager to go join a traveling show as a dancer. She started

preforming in the fame of a woman who went by the name of Ma

Rainey. After preforming at carious theatres her career lifted off. She

was often referred as one of the greatest singers of her time.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Bessie was respected for many reasons. First off because the fact she

was a female blues singer. She was signed to Colombia Records in

1923. Also, her first session was on February 15, 1923. She was not

only a singer, but also wrote many of her own songs about the

struggles and the accomplishments of African Americans during the

1920’s and the 1930’s. Gulf coast blues and Downhearted blues were

two of the songs she is known for. She sang with many other famous

singer like Louis Armstrong and many more. The biggest

accomplishment in my eyes she has received is being know as the

“Empress of Blues”.

CHALLENGES & HARDSHIPS

Just like everybody in this world, Bessie had many issues of her own.

Bessie started singing at a very young age on nine years old for whatever

she could get. Both of her parents passed away at a young age so this

could cause her to give, but she did not. She would use the themes of

rejection, abuse, desertion, alcoholism, poverty and sexuality in her

music. Smith made it very clear to everybody she was very sexual. She

admittedly told people she was one time promiscuous and also bisexual.

Of course, a lot of people disagreed with her choice. Smith did not let that

stop her. She continued doing what she loved and encouraged people

around the world to move on in life.

IMPACT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS

Even today people are still listening to Bessie Smith.

People who are interested in the earlier year’s music

such as blues, still enjoy Bessiese music. Also, in

todays Movies they sometimes use her songs. In the

earlier days Smith influenced many singers today to

do what they love. For instance, she influenced the

well known singers Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone

and Janis Joplin.

In Loving MemoryApril 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937