Bibliograph

Bessie Smith, a poet's biography of a blues legend, Jackie Kay

Type

Label

Bessie Smith, a poet's biography of a blues legend, Jackie Kay

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references

resource.biographical

individual biography

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Bessie Smith

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1236898904

Responsibility statement

Jackie Kay

Sub title

a poet's biography of a blues legend

Summary

"Known for her prodigious musical talent, her timeless blues narratives about personal and socioeconomic problems, her tough persona, and her innate ability to enrapture audiences with her raw voice, Bessie Smith--the Empress of the Blues--receives a unique biographical treatment in this special life narrative captured by one of Scotland's finest poets. By masterfully blending research, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and her own experiences in listening to Bessie Smith, Jackie Kay brings Smith to life, chronicling her humble beginnings in Tennessee to her national touring and recording success to her troubled relationships and her tragic end. The result is a lyrical tribute that not only captures Smith's personality but manages to reproduce her voice as her lyrics echo throughout the text. Bessie Smith lives on, and as Kay argues, she is relevant now more than ever"--, Provided by publisher

Classification