Mamie Smith

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
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.	February 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 November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109988.

Smith, Mamie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109988.

"Smith, Mamie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.