Bessie Smith children: Meet Jack Gee Jr

Bessie Smith, a jazz and blues performer, is known as the “Empress of the Blues” for her passionate, powerful voice.

Bessie Smith started singing at an early age and earned a deal with Columbia Records in 1923. With hits like “Downhearted Blues,” she quickly rose to become one of the highest-paid Black musicians of the day.

Though she continued to perform and release new recordings at the start of the Swing Era, her popularity had declined by the end of the 1920s.

When she passed away on September 26, 1937, from injuries incurred in a car accident outside of Clarksdale, Mississippi, her comeback and life were cut short.

By the start of the 1920s, Smith had relocated to Philadelphia and was living there. She met and married Jack Gee in 1923. A Columbia Records agent discovered her and helped her record her first songs after signing her to a contract.

One of them, “Downhearted Blues,” was so popular and is said to have sold 800,000 copies that it propelled Smith to the forefront of the blues scene. Thanks to her powerful, resonant voice, Smith swiftly rose to recognition as a recording artist and performed extensively on tour.

Smith ultimately bought a dedicated railroad car for her traveling group to travel and sleep in after deciding to act on a recommendation given by her brother and company manager Clarence.

Bessie Smith children: Meet Jack Gee Jr

Bessie Smith’s son Gee Jr. lived a private life with his personal information out of trace. Our research team is still digging to keep our cherished readers informed. This section will be updated whenever we get our hands on confirmed data.

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