alb3799234

Bessie Smith, American Blues Singer

Bessie Smith holding feathers photographed by Carl Van Vechten, February 3, 1936. Bessie Smith (1894-1937) 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 a major influence on subsequent jazz vocalists. In the 1920's Smith became the highest paid black entertainer of the day, heading her own shows, which sometimes featured as many as 40 troupers, and touring in her own railroad car. Smith's career was cut short by a combination of the Great Depression and the advent of Hollywood "talkies", which spelled the end for vaudeville. In 1937 Smith was critically injured in a car accident while traveling along U.S. Route 61. Smith's funeral was held in Philadelphia and an estimated 10,000 mourners who filed past her coffin.
Partager
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Ajouter à une autre Lightbox

Ajouter à une autre Lightbox

add to lightbox print share
Avez-vous déjà un compte? S'identifier
Vous n'avez pas de compte ? S'inscrire
Acheter cette image
Chargement...
Titre:
Bessie Smith, American Blues Singer
Bessie Smith holding feathers photographed by Carl Van Vechten, February 3, 1936. Bessie Smith (1894-1937) 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 a major influence on subsequent jazz vocalists. In the 1920's Smith became the highest paid black entertainer of the day, heading her own shows, which sometimes featured as many as 40 troupers, and touring in her own railroad car. Smith's career was cut short by a combination of the Great Depression and the advent of Hollywood "talkies", which spelled the end for vaudeville. In 1937 Smith was critically injured in a car accident while traveling along U.S. Route 61. Smith's funeral was held in Philadelphia and an estimated 10,000 mourners who filed past her coffin.
Crédit:
Album / Science Source / LOC/Carl Van Vechten Collection
Autorisations:
Modèle: Non - Propriété: Non
Questions sur les droits?
Taille de l'image:
2754 x 3529 px | 27.8 MB
Taille d'impression:
23.3 x 29.9 cm | 9.2 x 11.8 in (300 dpi)