The film St. Louis Blues was released 80 years ago on September 8, 1929. I was not there, but evidently IMDB was. I believe this film contains the only extant footage of Bessie Smith, the Empress of the Blues.
Smith was killed in a car accident when she was only 43 years old. Many have covered her songs over the last 80 years. Dinah Washington recorded an entire album of Bessie Smith song call appropriately enough "Dinah Sings Bessie Smith" This is a great album, but I am hoping that someday Queen Latifah will record some Bessie Smith songs.
Here is Dinah Washington singing "Send Me to the 'lectric Chair".
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