Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer.Nicknamed The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and, along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on other jazz vocalists.
According to 1900 census, she was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States in July, 1892. That date stands in contrast to April 15, 1894, which is the date indicated on her wedding certificate and confirmed by family members.
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Ranked #26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
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Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.
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Blues singer.
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Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981.
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Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 (under the category Early Influences).
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
2016
TV Movie writer: "Baby Doll" - as Smith
Gas Light
2016
performer: "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Baby Won't You Please Come Home"
Bessie
2015
TV Movie performer: "Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer" / writer: "Young Woman's Blues", "Long Old Road"
The Originals
2015
TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Good Man
2014/I
Short performer: "A Good Man is Hard to Find" / writer: "A Good Man is Hard to Find"
Boardwalk Empire
2012
TV Series 1 episode
The Hour
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Water for Elephants
2011
performer: "I Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl"
Nights in Rodanthe
2008
writer: "Backwater Blues"
Idlewild
2006
performer: "Do Your Duty"
Cold Case
2005
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
2004
performer: "About Her"
Carnivàle
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2003 writer - 1 episode, 2003
The Blues
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode, 2003 performer - 1 episode, 2003
$1.9 Million
