Kingsley Amis looks at the work of six jazz musicians who showed particular originality. 3: Bessie Smith
This singer, who was raised in poverty in Chattanooga, first took to the road with Ma Rainey 's Rabbit Foot Minstrels. She started making records in 1923 and in the first 12 months sold two million, but seven years later success turned to rejection. mono
'Jazz Classics in Digital Stereo: Bessie Smith ' albums, cassettes and compact discs available from retailers