Clara Smith

Clara Smith (March 13, 1894 – February 2, 1935) was an American classic female blues singer, billed as the "Queen of the Moaners", although she had a lighter and sweeter voice than many of her contemporaries. Clara Smith was not related to the singers Bessie Smith and Mamie Smith.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 23, 1894 (Spartanburg County), Died February 2, 1935 (Detroit)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1932

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, leader, composer, lyricist, songwriter

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 149 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 81059 10-in. 5/31/1923 I got everything a woman needs Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81060 10-in. 5/31/1923 Every woman's blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano songwriter, vocalist  
Columbia 81150 10-in. 7/27/1923 Kind lovin' blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81151 10-in. 7/27/1923 Down South blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81153 10-in. 7/27/1923 All night blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81154 10-in. 7/27/1923 Play it (do it a long time, papa) Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81183 10-in. 8/31/1923 I want my sweet daddy now Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano vocalist  
Columbia 81184 10-in. 8/31/1923 Irresistible blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano vocalist  
Columbia 81198 10-in. 9/6/1923 Don't never tell nobody Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81199 10-in. 9/6/1923 Georgia blues Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio vocalist  
Columbia 81202 10-in. 9/7/1923 I never miss the sunshine (I'm so used to the rain) Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81210 10-in. 9/13/1923 Awful moanin' blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81221 10-in. 9/18/1923 Goin' down to the levee Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81222 10-in. 9/18/1923 Kansas City man blues Stanley Miller ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81250 10-in. 10/1/1923 Waitin' for the evenin' mail Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81253 10-in. 10/2/1923 Uncle Sam blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81261 10-in. 10/4/1923 Far away blues Fletcher Henderson ; Bessie Smith ; Clara Smith Female vocal duet ("blues singers"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81262 10-in. 10/4/1923 I'm going back to my used-to-be Fletcher Henderson ; Bessie Smith ; Clara Smith Female vocal duet ("blues singers"), with piano vocalist  
Columbia 81476 10-in. 1/11/1924 It won't be long now Clara Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist, leader  
Columbia 81477 10-in. 1/11/1924 Hot papa Clara Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist, leader  
Columbia 81495 10-in. 1/18/1924 I'm gonna tear your playhouse down Clara Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, leader  
Columbia 81496 10-in. 1/18/1924 I don't love nobody (So I don't have no blues) Clara Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, leader  
Columbia 81508 10-in. 1/29/1924 Good looking papa blues Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with clarinet and piano vocalist  
Columbia 81509 10-in. 1/29/1924 You don't know my mind Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with alto saxophone and piano vocalist  
Columbia 81512 10-in. 1/31/1924 My doggone lazy man Clara Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, leader  
(Results 1-25 of 149 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Clara," accessed March 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106278.

Smith, Clara. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106278.

"Smith, Clara." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106278

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