The soundtrack to the 2015
Bessie Smith biopic,
Bessie: Music from the HBO Film features original and newly recorded songs strongly associated with the legendary vocalist. Starring award-winning actress and singer
Queen Latifah,
Bessie focuses on the life of the iconic jazz and blues singer. One of the most successful and influential performers of her era,
Smith headlined her own tours and rubbed shoulders with such musical giants as singer
Ma Rainey and trumpeter
Louis Armstrong. Here,
Latifah performs a handful of songs
Smith recorded including "Young Woman Blues," "Weepin' Woman Blues," "Long Old Road," and others. Also included are new recordings from such vintage-inspired acts as Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks,
Tamar-Kali, and
Cecile McLorin Salvant, as well as original sides by
Armstrong,
Fats Waller, and of course,
Smith. ~ Matt Collar