Bessie Smith (1894 – 1937) born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was an American blues singer. Nicknamed the Empress of the Blues, she 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 was a major influence on other jazz singers. Her recordings are of good quality for the time and her singing style is quite modern. Bessie tragically died in an automobile accident. Her grave site in Sharon Hill, PA was unmarked until a tombstone was erected in 1970 by Janis Joplin and Juanita Green.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Poster made from an original painting by Al Moretti.