"It's as if before Bessie Smith, there was nothing," he said.

The 1920s saw the emergence of many famous women musicians including Bessie Smith.

And many of them died here, most notably Bessie Smith.

"It was the place everyone went, and pioneers like Bessie Smith would perform."

Bessie Smith died in a car crash in 1937, at the age of 41.

Bessie Smith took another approach, more satisfying but probably just as debilitating.

In the words of Bessie Smith, ain't nobody's business if she do.

These paintings were, as Bessie Smith might say, built for speed.

This, despite the fact that she had what might have been the greatest blues voice since Bessie Smith.

The song was originally performed in 1929 by Bessie Smith.

"It's as if before Bessie Smith, there was nothing," he said.

The 1920s saw the emergence of many famous women musicians including Bessie Smith.

And many of them died here, most notably Bessie Smith.

"It was the place everyone went, and pioneers like Bessie Smith would perform."

Bessie Smith died in a car crash in 1937, at the age of 41.

Bessie Smith took another approach, more satisfying but probably just as debilitating.

In the words of Bessie Smith, ain't nobody's business if she do.

These paintings were, as Bessie Smith might say, built for speed.

This, despite the fact that she had what might have been the greatest blues voice since Bessie Smith.

The song was originally performed in 1929 by Bessie Smith.