Odessa Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Odessa Harris
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| Birth name | Dessie Mae Williams |
| Born | June 8, 1936 West Helena, Arkansas, United States |
| Died | August 18, 2007 (aged 71) Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Genres | Blues, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1950s–2007 |
| Labels | Capitol, Uptown, Eastlawn |
Dessie Mae Williams, known professionally as Odessa Harris, was an amazing American singer. She was famous for her blues and jazz music. Born on June 8, 1936, she passed away on August 18, 2007.
Odessa had a long and interesting career. She toured for two years with the legendary musician B.B. King, who even gave her the stage name Odessa Harris. She also recorded music for big labels like Capitol Records. After taking a break from music for about thirty years, she made an exciting comeback in 1993 and released her first album.
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Odessa Harris's Musical Journey
Odessa Harris, whose birth name was Dessie Mae Williams, was born in West Helena, Arkansas. She began singing at a very young age, joining her local Baptist church choir when she was just ten years old.
By the time she was 14, Odessa was already performing on the radio! She appeared on a show called King Biscuit Time. This led to her touring with another musician, Robert Nighthawk. From 1949 to 1953, she even worked with a traveling carnival show, singing and performing.
Moving to Florida and Meeting B.B. King
In the late 1950s, Odessa moved to Jacksonville, Florida. There, she sang in local nightclubs, sharing her talent with audiences. A big moment came in the summer of 1959. She and her friends went to a concert by the famous blues musician B.B. King.
The audience loved her voice and encouraged her to sing a few songs on stage with King. After her performance, B.B. King was so impressed that he offered her a job! He told her, "if you want a job, the bus leaves in the morning." Odessa joined his tour and sang with him until 1961. It was B.B. King himself who gave her the stage name Odessa Harris.
Recording Music and Life in Detroit
After touring with B.B. King, Odessa Harris got new management and moved to Miami, Florida. In 1962, she had a chance to record four songs for Capitol Records. However, the record company was busy promoting other singers at the time, so her music didn't get much attention.
In 1965, she recorded two more songs for Uptown Records, including a version of "Since I Fell for You". Later, in 1972, Odessa moved to Detroit, Michigan, which became her home. She continued to sing, often working as a freelance vocalist in the Midwest. She regularly performed with Sonny Freeman, who used to be B.B. King's drummer. When Sonny Freeman passed away in the late 1980s, Odessa decided to stop performing for a while.
A Return to Music
Odessa Harris lived a quiet life for about ten years. She was part of a local Buddhist community in Detroit. Then, in 2000, a fellow musician and Buddhist named Marcus Belgrave convinced her to start performing again.
In 2003, Odessa released her album The Easy Life. This was her first recording in 38 years! The album featured a mix of musical styles, including upbeat swing songs and Latin rhythms. It was a wonderful comeback for her. In early 2007, she toured northwestern Michigan, performing jazz concerts that were very well-received.
Later Years and Legacy
In her later years, Odessa Harris faced some health challenges. She passed away in Detroit on August 18, 2007. Odessa Harris left behind a legacy as a talented blues and jazz singer who shared her amazing voice with the world for many decades.
