Bessie Smith, "The Empress Of The Blues", a uniquely powerful, soulful and uncompromising blues singer, was an originator and a star. She became one of the highest-paid Black performers of her time,... more

Bessie Smith was not only the first significant female blues singer to emerge during the early electric recording era, but her influence and reputation is such that she is still rightly hailed as the... more

Her 49 most powerful and inspiring recordings from 1923 to 1933! "I Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl," "Easy Come Easy Go Blues," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "T'Ain't Nobody's Biz-Ness if I Do,"... more