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Ken Clarke's Jazz Greats - Bessie Smith

Born in abject poverty and killed aged 43, Bessie Smith forged a new jazz sound. Ken and George Melly pay tribute. From 2004.

Bessie Smith was born in abject poverty.

Singing on street corners before her tenth birthday and tragically killed just 32 years later, she had crammed a lot of hard living into that relatively short life.

Ken Clarke talks to George Melly about the woman who brought together the blues and ragtime traditions to forge a new sound in jazz.

Producer: Paul Evans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2004.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Dec 202102:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Fri 13 Oct 201706:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 13 Oct 201713:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 13 Oct 201720:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 14 Oct 201701:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 16 Dec 202114:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 17 Dec 202102:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra