Bessie Smith Photographs by Carl Van Vechten: Picture 1
The Empress of the Blues: Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith, jazz great, in a photo by master photographer Carl Van Vechten. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, probably on April 15, 1895, though the earliest census record shows her as born in July, 1892. Her parents were Laura Owens Smith and William Smith. William, a part-time preacher, died when Bessie was very young. Laura died before Bessie was ten years old.
Pictures in this series: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Index
Images of Bessie Smith courtesy of Library of Congress
