Bessie Smith

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Bessie Smith
By, Katherina Spence
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Background

• Born on April 15, 1894 in Chattanooga Tennessee.
• William Smith (Father)
• Laura Smith (Mother)
• Orphaned as a child and raised by her oldest
  sister Viola.

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Who is She?

• Blues singer and actor
• Known as Queen of the Blues and Empress of the
  Blues.
• Appeared in the movie St. Louis Blues.
• Performed songs such as Weeping Willow Blues
  and Backwater Blues with music legends such as
  Louis Armstrong and Joe Smith.

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Timeline

• Born April 15, 1984
• Joined Ma Raineys traveling show in 1912
• Married Earl Love in 1920 who died soon
• Married John Gee in 1922
• Began performing in 1923 in New York
• Appeared in St. Louis Blues in 1929
• Died In a car accident in 1937

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Sources

• A Salute to Historic Blacks in the Arts by, An
  Empak Black History Publication Series