BESSIE SMITH
Empress of the Blues | Chattanooga native
Bessie Smith (ca. 1895–1937), known as the Empress of the Blues, was a blues and jazz singer from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The youngest of seven children, she was orphaned at a young age and began performing on the streets of Chattanooga with her brother.
At 14, she was already performing professionally, and by 1923, Smith signed with Columbia Records, releasing the hit “Down-hearted Blues,” which launched her into national fame. She performed with jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and became the highest-paid Black entertainer of her time.
Smith's career was cut short by the Great Depression, with her last recording in 1933. She died in a car accident in 1937. Smith's unapologetic persona and openness set her apart. Her music often addressed issues like racism and poverty.
Smith’s legacy includes three Grammy Hall of Fame songs, induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and a headstone provided by Janis Joplin in 1971.