The life and times of Bessie Smith: Music's first diva

#todayinhistory Bessie Smith, known as the “Empress of the Blues,” was one of the most powerful voices of the 20th century. Rising from poverty, she became the highest-paid Black entertainer of the 1920s, recording over 160 songs and influencing generations of artists. Her funeral on October 4, 1937, in Philadelphia marked the loss of a legend, but her legacy in jazz, blues, and American music lives on. #history #historybeforeus #bessiesmith #blues #jazz #chattanooga #music #musiclovers #tenness