Search - Bessie Smith :: Itinerary of a Genius

Bessie Smith, The Empress of Blues, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her influence stretches far beyond the reaches of middle America, or the 1920s-30s, or even Blues music. In fact, she is known to be an inspiration and influence to Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson and Janis Joplin. This record is a celebration of her many accomplishments as a Blues writer and singer: 22 recordings of the highest quality, a rarity among the many that exist today. Guest artists and collaborators here include Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Joe Smith, Charlie Green, Benny Goodman and Buck Washington.

This record is a testament of Bessie s true nature. Her lyrics summarize the atmosphere in which Bessie Smith lived: an atmosphere of despair, in which you can drown in or sing about. Troubles of the heart, breakups, infidelities, frauds, sordid tales of money, acid bites of acedia... Bessie sang of these for her people, to comfort them and give them hope. In the history of jazz, there were few things more poignant than this deep, untamed voice.
And with over 150 recordings to her name, no one deserves her title or this collection of her best songs more than she does. Bessie will proudly join Milan s Itinerary of a Genius collection alongside Ennio Morricone and Astor Piazzolla.