BESSIE SMITH
Harlem Renaissance Research PowerPoint
BESSIE’S CONTRIBUTION
TO 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.