Classic blues (women singers)

Style · 1920-1930s · New York, Chicago · Roots and blues

Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith: the commercial vocal blues of the 1920s, accompanied by jazz artists (Armstrong, Henderson). A bridge between blues and jazz.

Where it comes from

• Blues, spirituals, work songs

What it gave rise to or influenced

• Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese

Artists

• Bessie Smith (1892–1937, vocals)
• Ethel Waters (1896–1977, vocals)
• Lovie Austin (1887–1972, piano, arrangement, conducting)
• Ma Rainey (1886–1939, vocals)
• Alberta Hunter (1895–1984, vocals)

Tracks to start with

• St. Louis Blues — Bessie Smith (1925)
• Crazy Blues — Mamie Smith (1920)
• Strange Fruit — Billie Holiday (1939)
• Stormy Weather — Ethel Waters (1933)

Sources

• EN : Classic female blues

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