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Mamie Smith

Mamie Smith (née Robinson; May 26, 1891 – September 16, 1946) was an American singer. As a vaudeville singer, she performed in multiple styles, including jazz and blues. In 1920, she entered blues history as the first African-American artist to make vocal blues recordings. Willie "The Lion" Smith (no relation) described the background of these recordings in his autobiography Music on My Mind (1964).

Birth and Death Data: Born May 26, 1883 (Cincinnati), Died September 16, 1946 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1931

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, leader, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 95 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-36069 10-in. 8/27/1926 Goin' crazy with the blues Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist  
Victor BVE-36070 10-in. 8/27/1926 Sweet Virginia blues Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist  
Victor BVE-36081 10-in. 8/31/1926 What have you done to make me feel this way Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist  
Victor BVE-36082 10-in. 8/31/1926 I once was yours, I'm somebody else's now Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist  
Victor MVE-50603 16-in. 4/9/1929 Jailhouse blues Mamie Smith Motion picture soundtrack : Female vocal solo, with violin and piano vocalist  
Victor [Trial 1920-01-10-02] Not documented 1/10/1920 That thing called love Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist  
OKeh S-7275 10-in. 2/14/1920 That thing called love Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7276 10-in. Feb. 1920 You can't keep a good man down Rega Orchestra ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7529 10-in. 8/10/1920 Crazy blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7539 10-in. Aug. 1920 It's right here for you (If you don't get it—'tain't no fault of mine) Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7540 Not documented Aug. 1920 [Unknown title(s)] Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
OKeh S-7589 10-in. Sept. 1920 Fare thee honey blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7590 10-in. Sept. 1920 The road is rocky (But I am gonna find my way) Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7642 10-in. 11/5/1920 Mem'ries of you, Mammy Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7643 10-in. 11/5/1920 If you don't want me blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7658 10-in. Nov. 1920 Don't care blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7659 10-in. Nov. 1920 Lovin' Sam from Alabam' Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7724 10-in. Jan. 1921 Royal Garden blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh S-7725 10-in. Jan. 1921 Jazz hound blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh S-7788 10-in. Feb. 1921 Jazzbo Ball Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7789 10-in. Feb. 1921 What have I done Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
OKeh S-7790 10-in. Feb. 1921 That thing called love Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh S-7791 10-in. Feb. 1921 Old time blues Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh S-7792 10-in. Feb. 1921 Baby you made me fall for you Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Jazz/dance band leader  
OKeh S-7793 10-in. Feb. 1921 You can't keep a good man down Jazz Hounds ; Mamie Smith Jazz/dance band leader  
(Results 1-25 of 95 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Mamie," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109988.

Smith, Mamie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109988.

"Smith, Mamie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109988

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