The story of legendary blues performer bessie smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s. Bessie smith, american singer, one of the greatest blues vocalists Known as the ‘empress of the blues,’ she was a bold, supremely confident artist who sang with breathtaking emotional intensity on such songs as ‘down hearted blues,’ ‘empty bed blues,’ and ‘nobody knows you when you’re down and out.’ Bessie smith was a vaudeville smash in the 1920s, successful enough to have her own train on which she toured the country, and to inspire nina simone and billie holliday. Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for bessie (2015) on rotten tomatoes Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!
Queen latifah stars as bessie smith in this vivid portrait of the legendary 20th century blues singer. Bessie smith (queen latifah) is a young singer from chattanooga, tennessee She and her siblings are orphaned when their parents, william and laura, die, leaving their oldest sister, viola (khandi alexander), to raise them. Queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this vivid portrait of a tenacious spirit who, despite her own demons, went on to become one of the most successful and influential. Nicknamed the empress of the blues and formerly queen of the blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1930s.
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