Bessie Smith, one of the most popular African American artists of the 1920s, will be honored by the state of Tennessee with the installation of a “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker in the singer’s hometown of Chattanooga.
At the reveal, hear from Beverly Clarke, Bessie Smith’s granddaughter, as well as state and local leaders about the importance of this commemoration.
The event will take place on Friday at noon at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was the most popular female blues singer during the Jazz Age. Known as the "Empress of the Blues," she developed a commanding, dramatic vocal presence that saw her become among the highest-paid African American entertainers of the 1920s.
Launched by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in 2018, Tennessee Music Pathways is an online planning guide that connects visitors to the state’s rich musical heritage at tnmusicpathways.com.
From the largest cities to the smallest communities, Tennessee Music Pathways stretches across all 95 counties and features hundreds of landmarks from the seven genres of music that call Tennessee home.