I loved  learning more about Bessie Smith and the person she was, referred to by many as the best artist in classic blues. She honored her talent, her God given gifts and abilities and her authenticity. She was “present” when she sang, and some; well many, described her presence, meaning when she began singing many said she had everyone’s full attention and that you couldn’t even hear a pin drop. Yes she was immensely talented and honored that, it was “enough” for her to show up and sing because she honored who she was and used her abilities to honor her authentic self. Everyone can learn from her amazing example. There is a reason beyond her talent that she evoked such a positive response from all when she entered a room and sang, she honored her authenticity and literally utilized her voice. That is all, all of us can be asked to do, and that is a lot for some people, it takes courage, confidence, true integrity. She had that, true integrity simply in being herself and honoring that. To me, people who spoke very highly of her, as it should be, were the ones who had it right. Absolutely right. From Frank Walker’s commentary about her, Danny Barker’s, Buster Bailey’s, Mezz  Mezzrow’s and Alberta Hunter’s quotes about her, she was honored. And it is important to note and summarize that “she has become almost an archetype in representation of classic blues (as stated and then further attributed in the “Pop, Rock and Soul Reader”) and in the book it was further indicated that, “her influence on subsequent female blues, jazz, and rock singers was strong and was felt by everyone from Billie Holiday to Dinah Washington to Janis Joplin.” She had heart and for music to be inspiring and “felt” by all the artist performing it and creating it, must have heart as Bessie Smith did.

I find it very sad and immensely wrong, as attributed to a quote by Mezz Mezzrow, paraphrasing, who retold the story of how she died tragically. He said that she died due to not being treated on time after a car accident where her arm was dislocated. She was taken to the hospital and they wouldn’t treat her, nothing to do with her – the people who worked at the hospital were not behaving as decent human beings, otherwise she would have received prompt treatment and her life could have been saved. It was further stated by Mezz Mezzrow, again paraphrasing him, that she was (after leaving the first hospital that refused her proper treatment or any treatment at all) taken to a hospital where they would treat her, but by that time sadly, she had lost too much blood and died as a result. She died as a result of people at the first hospital lacking decency, decent behaving people with good hearts, would treat a person, promptly. There is no excuse for them not doing that, other than immense ignorance on the part of the people who worked at first hospital. It was immensely wrong to not treat her promptly, very obviously. What is especially saddening about that is that she was a bright light in this world and she was around people too ignorant to see that when her life needed to be saved, meaning those at the hospital where people are expected to care for others and simply be decent and compassionate.

I do know that her legacy and her light in this world continues regardless. She was a beautiful, talented person and one who was courageous and authentic, and has inspired many. I am glad there are many speaking highly of her ongoing contribution to music and to inspiring many, she continues to do so.