Mamie Smith, born Mamie Robinson on May 26, 1883, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a pioneering African American blues vocalist, jazz singer, actress, dancer, and vaudeville performer. Smith holds a seminal place in music history as the first African American woman to make vocal blues recordings in 1920, signifying a milestone in the genre's dissemination from regional styles to the national market.

Her landmark recording "Crazy Blues" in 1920 for Okeh Records was not only a commercial success, selling over a million copies within a year, but also opened the door for black vocalists and musicians to record for major labels, thus giving impetus to the burgeoning genre of blues music.

Throughout the early 1920s, Mamie Smith and her band, The Jazz Hounds, were at the vanguard of blues and jazz recording. Her dynamic delivery and commanding stage presence earned her the moniker "Queen of the Blues." The body of her work, as captured in various remastered collections such as "Let Me Tell You - The 1921 Recordings" and "Can't Be Satisfied - The 1920 Recordings," speaks to her artistry and influence on generations of blues and jazz musicians. Mamie Smith's career also included tours and musical theatre, reflecting the breadth of her talent in the performing arts. She passed away on September 16, 1946, but her legacy lives on as an integral figure in the history of American music.

Genres

Harlem Renaissance

Traditional Blues

Latest Release

Let Me Tell You - The 1921 Recordings (Remastered)

Mamie Smith

Album - 30 Tracks - Released November 29, 2023