Clara Smith
Source: Magic Old America
Born in 13 March 1894 in South Carolina, Clara Smith ("Queen of the Moaners") is one of four famous early female blues singers named Smith, none related. Though not so well-known over time, Clara was serious rival to Mamie and Bessie who were the most successful, Trixie not so much. Clara first recorded in 1923 in NYC with Fletcher Henderson at piano. Titles in May went unissued: 'I've Got Everything a Woman Needs' and 'Every Woman's Blues'. The same rendered in June saw release on Columbia A3943 [RYM].
'I Got Everything a Woman Needs' Clara Smith w Fletcher Henderson (piano)
Recorded 28 June 1923 in NYC Matrix 81059-6
First recording issued Columbia A3943
Composition: Stanley S. Miller
'Every Woman's Blues' Clara Smith w Fletcher Henderson (piano)
Recorded 28 June 1923 in NYC Matrix 81060-5
Second recording issued Columbia A3943
Composition: Stanley S. Miller / Clara Smith
On October 4 of 1923 Clara and Bessie (above) recorded a couple duets with Henderson at piano titled 'Far Away Blues' and 'I'm Going Back to My Used to Be'. Those got issued in January on Columbia 13007-D. In November the next year they released 'Nobody's Blues But Mine' / 'My Man Blues' on Columbia 14098-D.
'Far Away Blues' Clara Smith w Bessie Smith & Fletcher Henderson (piano)
Recorded 4 Oct 1923 in NYC Columbia 13007-D
Composition: George Brooks
Smith would recorded 122 tracks into 1932. Lord's Disco traces her to as late as March 25 that year for '(I'm Tired of) Fattening Frogs for Snakes' and 'So Long Jim'.
'My John Blues' Clara Smith
Recorded 7 Jan 1925 in NYC Unissued
Cornet: Louis Armstrong Trombone: Charlie Green Piano: Fletcher Henderson
Recorded by same personnel on 2 April 1925 issued on Columbia 14077-D
Composition: Edgar Dowell
'Ain't Got Nobody to Grind My Coffee' Clara Smith
Recorded 9 Aug 1928 in NYC Columbia 14368-D
Composition: Bud Allen
'Oh Mister Mitchell' Clara Smith
Recorded 12 Sep 1929 in NYC Columbia 14536-D
Composition: Spencer Williams
'(I'm Tired of) Fattening Frogs for Snakes' Clara Smith w Fred Longshaw (piano)
Recorded 25 March 1932 in NYC Matrix 152159-1
2nd to last recording Columbia 14653-D
Composition: Carrie Edwards
'So Long Jim' Clara Smith w Fred Longshaw (piano)
Recorded 25 March 1932 in NYC Matrix 152159-1
Final recording Columbia 14653-D
Composition: Fred Longshaw
Smith moved to Detroit in 1933 to participate in theatre revues until she died young of heart attack at only forty years of age on 2 February 1935.
Sources & References for Clara Smith:
Aberjhani / Sandra L. West (Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance / Facts On File / 2003)
VF History (notes)
Scott Yanow (All Music)
Recordings: Catalogs:
45 Worlds Discogs Hung Medien SHS
Recordings: Compilations:
Clara Smith: Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order (Document Records 1995):
Clara Smith: The Essential (Classic Blues / 2001)
Recordings: Sessions:
Scott Alexander (Clara Smith & Her Five Black Kittens 1927)
Scott Alexander (Clara Smith & Her Jazz Trio 1924)
DAHR (1923-32)
Tom Lord: leading 70 of 73 sessions 1923-32
Authority Search: VIAF World Cat
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