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Bessie Smith : a poet's biography of a blue's legend / Jackie Kay.

Kay, Jackie, 1961- (author.).

Summary:
"Known for her prodigious musical talent, her timeless blues narratives about personal and socioeconomic problems, her tough persona, and her innate ability to enrapture audiences with her raw voice, Bessie Smith--the Empress of the Blues--receives a unique biographical treatment in this special life narrative captured by one of Scotland's finest poets. By masterfully blending research, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and her own experiences in listening to Bessie Smith, Jackie Kay brings Smith to life, chronicling her humble beginnings in Tennessee to her national touring and recording success to her troubled relationships and her tragic end. The result is a lyrical tribute that not only captures Smith's personality but manages to reproduce her voice as her lyrics echo throughout the text. Bessie Smith lives on, and as Kay argues, she is relevant now more than ever"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780593314272
  • ISBN: 0593314271
  • Physical Description: xiv, 205 pages ; 21 cm
  • Edition: Vintage books original edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Vintage Books, a division of Penguin Random House, 2021.

Content descriptions

General Note:
"Originally published in paperback in Great Britain by Absolute Press, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, Bath, in 1997, and subsequently published in paperback in Great Britain by Fager & Faber Limited, London, in 2021"--Title page verso.
Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-202).
Subject: Smith, Bessie, 1894-1937.
Singers > United States > Biography.
Blues musicians > United States > Biography.

Available copies

  • 3 of 3 copies available at SPARK Libraries.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 3 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Albright Memorial Library 92 SMITH (Text) 50686016099397 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library B SMI (Text) 37268003116928 AHMFL Biography Available -
Easton Main Library SMITH (Text) 31901004538999 Adult Biography Available -


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