The Bessie Smith Festival
100 Years of “The Empress” on Record
For Immediate Release. February 7, 2023.
Contact Matthew Rivera: contact@hotclubny.org
February 16, 2023 marks the centennial of the first Bessie Smith record: "Gulf Coast Blues" and "Downhearted Blues,” a hallmark of Black pride, strength and artistic excellence which erupted through phonograph horns in 1923 and still moves us today.
The original 78rpm release of Bessie Smith’s first record, “Down Hearted Blues” / “Gulf Coast Blues”
To acknowledge this anniversary, and Black History Month, The Hot Club of New York is hosting a month-long series of FREE public presentations, playing precious original Bessie Smith shellac 78s at the historic jazz venue Cafe Bohemia.
Every Monday in February
7-10pm ET
Cafe Bohemia
15 Barrow St. NYC
About Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith sang the Blues with a startling depth, volume and range, singing popular songs as well as her own material about the highs and lows of life as she lived it. In the 1920s, Bessie Smith became an internationally famous recording star who represented Black pride, power and artistic excellence. She worked prominently with Ma Rainey, Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, and continues to influence musicians today. She is rightfully known as “The Empress of the Blues.”
About the Hot Club
The Hot Club is a non-profit for sharing rare 78rpm jazz records in high quality sound. With free public listening sessions, we hope to make the beauty and history of jazz accessible to all and to win the music the love and understanding it deserves. “The Fat Cat,” music archivist, researcher, and DJ Matthew Rivera, hosts the listening sessions.
About Cafe Bohemia
Café Bohemia was ground zero for the sounds of modern jazz in New York City from 1955-59. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham, and Oscar Pettiford are among the countless legends who played at the austere listening room at 15 Barrow Street during its heyday.
The Bessie Smith Festival
Every Monday in February
7-10pm ET
Cafe Bohemia
15 Barrow St. NYC
For More Information:
hotclubny.org
cafebohemiany.com
Contact:
Matthew Rivera
contact@hotclubny.org