Bessie Smith (July 9, 1892 or April 15, 1894 — September 26, 1937) was an American blues singer.

The most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s, Smith is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era, and along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on subsequent jazz vocalists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Smith