Ruby Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby Smith
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Birth name | Ruby Walker |
Born | New York, United States |
August 24, 1903
Died | March 24, 1977 Anaheim, California, United States |
(aged 73)
Genres | Classic female blues |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1938–1947 |
Labels | Bluebird, various |
Ruby Smith (born August 24, 1903 – died March 24, 1977) was an American classic female blues singer. She was related to the famous singer Bessie Smith through marriage. Bessie did not want Ruby to become a recording artist. However, after Bessie's death in 1937, Ruby recorded many songs. She made twenty-one recordings between 1938 and 1947. Ruby was also known for sharing honest stories about her own life and Bessie's life.
Ruby Smith's Life Story
Ruby Walker was born in New York City.
She met Bessie Smith, who was her aunt by marriage, in Philadelphia. After Bessie made her first recording in 1923, Ruby joined her on tour in 1924. Ruby helped Bessie backstage with her costumes. She also entertained the audience by dancing during breaks. Ruby wanted to be a singer, but Bessie did not agree in 1926. Still, they kept traveling together on tour. In Atlanta, Georgia, Ruby spent a night in jail. This happened after she was caught bringing a drink for her aunt. In 1927, Ruby joined Bessie and other women in Detroit, Michigan. Ruby later gave a long interview to Chris Albertson. She talked about these times and other parts of her life. This interview became part of a special music collection. It was called The Complete Recordings, Vol. 5: The Final Chapter by Bessie Smith.
Later, Bessie's husband, Jack Gee, asked Ruby to sing on stage. This happened after Bessie had left a show in Indianapolis, Indiana. But this trick did not last long. Bessie died in 1937. Soon after, Ruby started using the stage name Ruby Smith. Less than a year later, she recorded six songs. One of these was her version of Bessie's song "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair Blues". In the same recording session, she also sang "Draggin' My Heart Around". This song was written by Alex Hill.
In March 1939, Ruby Smith recorded two more songs. These were "He's Mine, All Mine" and "Backwater Blues". The music for these songs was directed by James P. Johnson. "Backwater Blues" was written by Bessie Smith and James P. Johnson. In December 1941, she recorded two more songs. These were "Why Don't You Love Me Anymore?" and her own song "Harlem Gin Blues". She was backed by a band led by Sammy Price. Her last recording sessions were in August 1946 and January 1947. For these, she sang with Gene Sedric's band.
Ruby Smith passed away on March 24, 1977. She was in Anaheim, California, and was 73 years old.
Her recorded songs have been put on several compilation albums. One example is Jazzin' the Blues (1943–1952). This album was released by Document Records in 2000.
Ruby Smith's Recordings
Recording date | Track | Songwriter | Musical direction | Record label |
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May 18, 1938 | "Dream Man Blues" | Bluebird | ||
May 18, 1938 | "Selfish Blues" | Bluebird | ||
May 18, 1938 | "Hard Up Blues" | Joe Davis / Spencer Williams | Blind John Davis | Bluebird |
May 18, 1938 | "'Lectric Chair Blues" | Joe Davis / Spencer Williams | Blind John Davis | Bluebird |
May 18, 1938 | "Flyin' Mosquito Blues" | Bluebird | ||
May 18, 1938 | "Draggin' My Heart Around" | Alex Hill | Bluebird | |
March 9, 1939 | "Backwater Blues" | Bessie Smith / James P. Johnson | James P. Johnson | |
March 9, 1939 | "He's Mine All Mine" | Porter Grainger | James P. Johnson | |
October 15, 1941 | "Make Me Love You" | Porter Grainger | ||
October 15, 1941 | "Fruit Cakin' Mama" | Porter Grainger | Sammy Price | Decca |
October 15, 1941 | "Black Gal" | Porter Grainger | Sammy Price | Decca |
October 15, 1941 | "Thinkin' Blues" | Bessie Smith | ||
December 10, 1941 | "Why Don't You Love Me Anymore?" | Walmsley | Sammy Price | Decca |
December 10, 1941 | "Harlem Gin Blues" | Ruby Smith | Sammy Price | Decca |
August 1946 | "Chicago Woman Blues" (Part 1) | Neil Lawrence | Gene Sedric | Harmonia |
August 1946 | "Chicago Woman Blues" (Part 2) | Neil Lawrence | Gene Sedric | Harmonia |
August 1946 | "Baby, Baby, Baby Blues" | Neil Lawrence | Gene Sedric | |
August 1946 | "Sedric's Blues" | Neil Lawrence / Gene Sedric | Gene Sedric | |
January 8, 1947 | "You Satisfy" | Les Baxter | Gene Sedric | RCA Victor |
January 8, 1947 | "Port Wine Blues" | Bill Samuels | Gene Sedric | RCA Victor |
January 8, 1947 | "Hot Sauce Susie" | Alphonse Demboe | Gene Sedric | RCA Victor |
January 8, 1947 | "I'm Scared of That Woman" | Gene Sedric | RCA Victor |
See also
- List of classic female blues singers