Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith began singing in 1912. By traveling with groups of touring entertainers, she had become a well-known artist by 1920. After her successful first recording, "Down- Hearted Blues," she began recording frequently with top jazz instrumentalists and singers, including Louis Armstrong. By 1930 her career had faltered due to the Depression, and her problems with alcohol. Although her last recording session was in 1933, she continued to perform in shows and clubs until 1936, when she was killed in an automobile accident.

(AP Photo)