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Synopsis: Bessie (4/15/1894 –
9/26/1937) born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, unfortunately died
at the young age of forty-three in a tragic auto accident, was
known as the Empress of the Blues. She was a protégé
of an earlier blues singer named Ma Rainey. This 1929-1942 Classic
film clips compilation done in 1986 of Bessie Smith in "St.
Louis Blues" (1929) which is the only filmed appearance
of Bessie Smith. Also on this compilation is "Bye
Bye Blackbird (Pie Pie Blackbird)"
(1932) stars Nina Mae McKinney and the Nicholas
Brothers
with Eubie Blake and His Orchestra. And "Boogie
Woogie Dream" (1941) with a young Lena
Horne,
as well as boogie woogie
pianists Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, and Teddy Wilson's Band.
The DVD At
The Jazz Band Ball has
Bessie Smiths clip as well.
*
The only dancing in this video is with the very, very young Nicholas
Brothers
doing an early Tap
Dance
routine in this film, they are only kids here. So if you are a
Nicholas Brothers fan, Tap or early Jazz Music enthusiast, this
is a great find. |
