of the Blues.

Smith Sunday!  In which we investigate other folks with the same last name as mine.

Today’s topic will be Bessie Smith, the Empress of the Blues (because, you know, with a name like “Smith,” you very rarely get to be associated with royalty).  Bessie’s ‘title’ comes from her extraordinary popularity in the 1920s and 30s.  She’s got recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame among other honors, had a commemorative postage stamp, figured in a short story by J. D. Salinger and a play by Edward Albee.  She appeared on Broadway and made a film.

Not bad for a busker, I’d say.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MzU8xM99Uo&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9Dff4ysz1YcPDSwUOhL1xB3