Laura Smith

Laura Smith (March 1882 – February 1932) was an American classic female blues and country blues singer. Songs she recorded include "Gonna Put You Right in Jail" and her version of "Don't You Leave Me Here". She led Laura Smith and her Wild Cats and also worked with Clarence Williams and Perry Bradford. Details of her life outside the music industry are scanty.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 1, 1882 (Illinois), Died 1932 (Los Angeles)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924 - 1927

Roles Represented in DAHR: contralto, composer

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 27 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-38651 10-in. 6/8/1927 Lonesome refugee Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-38652 10-in. 6/8/1927 The Mississippi blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
Victor BVE-38653 10-in. 6/8/1927 Fightin' blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto, composer  
Victor BVE-38654 10-in. 6/8/1927 Red River blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72719 10-in. Aug. 1924 Texas moaner blues Clarence Williams’ Harmonizers ; Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72720 10-in. Aug. 1924 I'm gonna get myself a real man Clarence Williams’ Harmonizers ; Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72724 10-in. Aug. 1924 Has anybody seen my man? Clarence Williams’ Harmonizers ; Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72725 Not documented Aug. 1924 [Unknown title(s)] Clarence Williams’ Harmonizers ; Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72895 10-in. Oct. 1924 My best friend stole my man and gone Laura Smith ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72896 10-in. Oct. 1924 Two-faced woman blues Laura Smith ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72897 10-in. Oct. 1924 I can always tell when my man don't want me 'round Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72898 10-in. Oct. 1924 Lake Ponchartrain blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72899 10-in. Oct. 1924 Gravier Street blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73663 10-in. 10/1/1925 Face to face Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with 2 violins and guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73664 10-in. 10/1/1925 Take me home, Heavenly Father, with Thee Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with 2 violins and guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73678 10-in. 10/3/1925 Lucy Long Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73679 10-in. 10/3/1925 Disgusted blues Perry Bradford's Mean Four ; Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73680 10-in. 10/3/1925 Humming blues Perry Bradford's Mean Four ; Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73681 10-in. 10/3/1925 Cool can blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74083 10-in. Apr. 1926 I'll get even with you Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74084 10-in. Apr. 1926 If you don't like it Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 80045 10-in. 5/28/1926 JacKass blues Laura Smith ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 80046 10-in. 5/28/1926 Them has been blues Laura Smith ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80400 10-in. 2/7/1927 My man just won't—don't Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with trumpet and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80401 10-in. 2/7/1927 Hateful blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with trumpet and piano vocalist, contralto  
(Results 1-25 of 27 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Laura," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108565.

Smith, Laura. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108565.

"Smith, Laura." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108565

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