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

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
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	composer, vocalist, contralto
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
OKeh	W80510	10-in.	3/9/1927	Home, cradle of happiness	Laura Smith	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet	vocalist, contralto
OKeh	W80511	10-in.	3/9/1927	If anybody here wants a real kind mama	Laura Smith	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet	vocalist, contralto

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Laura," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108565.

Smith, Laura. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108565.

"Smith, Laura." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.