Bessy Smith – Tain’t Nobodys Business If I Do (1923)
Bessie Smith (jul.9,1892 or apr.15,1894 – sep.26,1937) was Americas most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and ’30s.
Smith is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era, and along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on subsequent jazz vocalists.
As a way of earning money for their impoverished household, Smith and her brother Andrew began performing on the streets of Chattanooga as a duo, she singing and dancing, he accompanying on guitar; their preferred location was in front of the White Elephant Saloon at Thirteenth and Elm streets in the heart of the city’s African-American community.
In 1904, her oldest brother, Clarence, covertly left home by joining a small traveling troupe owned by Moses Stokes. “If Bessie had been old enough, she would have gone with him,” said Clarence’s widow, Maud. “That’s why he left without telling her, but Clarence told me she was ready, even then. Of course, she was only a child.”
In 1912, Clarence returned to Chattanooga with the Stokes troupe and arranged for its managers, Lonnie and Cora Fisher, to give her an audition. She was hired as a dancer rather than a singer, because the company also included Ma Rainey.
By the early 1920s, Smith had starred with Sidney Bechet in How Come?, a musical that made its way to Broadway, and spent several years working out of Atlanta, Georgia’s 81 Theater, performing in black theaters along the East Coast. Following a run-in with the producer of How Come?, she was replaced by Alberta Hunter and returned to Philadelphia, where she had taken up residence. There, she met and fell in love with Jack Gee, a security guard whom she married on June 7, 1923, just as her first recordings were being released by Columbia Records. The marriage was a stormy one, with infidelity on both sides. During the marriage, Smith became the biggest headliner on the black Theater Owners Booking Association ( T.O.B.A.) circuit, running a show that sometimes featured as many as 40 troupers and made her the highest-paid black entertainer of her day. Gee was impressed by the money, but never adjusted to show business life, and especially not Smith’s bisexuality. In 1929, when Smith learned of Gee’s affair with another performer, Gertrude Saunders, she ended the marriage, but never sought a legal divorce. Smith eventually found a common-law husband in an old friend, Richard Morgan, who was Lionel Hampton’s uncle and the antithesis of her husband. She stayed with him until her death.
Bessy Smith – Tain’t Nobodys Business If I Do (1923)
Duration : 0:3:20
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@sweetaliena. I …
@sweetaliena. I just saw your response. I call her “one of the mothers of gospel”. Not a gospel singer. Her style & other blues styles of that day did largely help to create what we know as Gospel. Jazz was the only other influence. So, in that sense she was an (one of many) originator(s) of modern gospel sound. As I said at its purest gospel singing is completely African & shares origins with the blues, but evolving innovations in blues & jazz styles were what made gospel what it is.
Bellisimo, muchas …
Bellisimo, muchas gracias
Mmm. That hits the …
Mmm. That hits the spot.
Thanks for posting.
wow how do u get …
wow how do u get that shirt so clean mate!?
bessie smith rocks …
bessie smith rocks my world!! does any1 know the name of a song by her saying “my name is bessie smith & when i sang, you listen”? thanks 4 any help!!
One of the best …
One of the best songs ever ever ever. Ever. I love you Bessie Smith.
this song came out …
this song came out the year my great grandmother was born. Bessie Smith is a great singer,too.
Yes, I’m a …
Yes, I’m a Christian but not religious and I didn’t say gospel started before the blues! But Bessie Smith influence a style of singing that was integrated in gospel or other styles of music but she wasn’t a gospel singer. She was an influence, yes, but an originator of gospel, no.
You must be a …
You must be a Christian. Gospel & blues have the same origins, but blues innovations invaded gospel several times during the 20th century (Thomas Dorsey, stride piano, the advent of blues & jazz organ techniques). Gospel is not it’s own entity & never has been. Both styles come from field singing, which originated from Various African styles (search Hoddu, Xalam, Gonje, African origins of the blues). Bessie smith influenced Mahalia Jackson (& others) who in turn influenced a whole new Generation
Gospel singing …
Gospel singing started before her and she wasn’t very religious.
To me, she one of the greatest singer of blues. An amazing, beautiful, raw, powerful voice. Love her.
one of the mothers …
one of the mothers of gospel singing
This 1923 original …
This 1923 original Bessie version of a much-covered tune is the greatest pop song of the 20th century. It’s also a fave of modern libertarians…
No matter your political persuasion, spread the news about Bessie Smith’s greatness.
She’s officially my …
She’s officially my favourite singer of all time. What a brilliant, brilliant lady.
Bessy Smith is …
Bessy Smith is spectacular.
she is fantastic
she is fantastic
Thanks for adding …
Thanks for adding this!
Superb!!!
Thanks …
Superb!!!
Thanks for sharing.