Bessie Smith "Empress of the Blues"
The United States of The Blues Classical Blues period 1920s, Bessie earned as much as $2000.00 per week. Smith was a rough, crude,...
Amiri Baraka "Jazz and the White Critic"
Most jazz critics have been white Americans, but most important jazz musicians have not been. This might seem a simple enough reality to...
Watch: Queen Latifah Sings The Blues In New Trailer For Dee Rees' 'Bessie' With Mo'N
As the record industry came of age, one name towered above all others: blues singer Bessie Smith. Mentored by Ma Rainey, she soon caught...
