Jessie Smith (singer)
Jessie Smith | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | Little Miss Jessie Jessie David Jessie Smith Lucas |
Born | Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. | November 28, 1941
Died | February 4, 2021 Alton, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 79)
Genres | R&B |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Jessie Smith (November 28, 1941 – February 4, 2021) was an American
Life and career
Jessie Smith was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the daughter of Georgia and Israel Smith, and was raised in Alton, Illinois.[1] She was a member of the Belle Street Temple Church Of God In Christ, under the leadership of Superintendent R.J. Monroe, and sang gospel solos and with choirs as a teenager. She was a part of The Monroe-Ettes, a female gospel group, with Missionary Norma Smith and Wanda Thompson.[1]
After winning a local talent show at the age of 16, she occasionally sang background vocals for such visiting musicians as Albert King and Ike Turner. In 1961, she was recruited by bandleader Benny Sharp and his band the Zorros of Rhythm in St. Louis.[2] Sharp's band included New Breed, a vocal trio consisting of Stacy Johnson, Vernon Guy, and Horise O'Toole. Backed by Sharp and his band, Smith released the single, "My Baby Has Gone" / "St. Louis Sunset Twist," on Chicago's Mel-O Records under the name Little Miss Jessie in 1961.[3][4]
By 1962, Smith, Johnson, and Guy had left Sharp to join the Ike & Tina Turner Revue which had relocated to Los Angeles.
Smith, Fields and Montgomery left the revue in 1965. Prevented by Turner from using the name Ikettes,
After her R&B career, she settled in California, married Edward Lucas, and raised her family. In 1990, she returned to her gospel roots at the Monroe Memorial Church in Alton, Illinois, under Bishop Samuel E. White, where she continued to sing.[1]
She died on February 4, 2021, aged 79.[1][11]
Discography
Singles
- 1961: "My Baby Has Gone" / "St. Louis Sunset Twist: (Mel-O 101)
Albums featured as an Ikette/Mirette
- 1965: Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show
- 1967: The Ike & Tina Turner Show (Vol. 2)
- 1966: Soul The Hits (Modern Records)
- 1968: In The Midnight Hour (Revue Records)
- 1969: Whirlpool (Uni Records)
- 2004: The Bad Man: Rare & Unreissued Ike Turner Produced Recordings 1962-1965 (Night Train International)
- 2012: Ike Turner Studio Productions: New Orleans and Los Angeles 1963–1965 (Ace Records)[12]
Backing vocal credits
- 1971: Al Kooper – New York City (You're a Woman)
- 1973: Bryan Ferry – These Foolish Things
- 1973: Dr. John – In the Right Place
- 1973: Mike Bloomfield / John Paul Hammond / Dr. John – Triumvirate
- 1973: Gloria Jones – Share My Love
- 1974: Badger – White Lady
- 1974: Dr. John – Desitively Bonnaroo
- 1974: José Feliciano – Compartments
- 1974: Paul Williams – A Little Bit of Love
- 1975: Johnny Bristol – Feeling the Magic
- 1976: Leon Ware – Musical Massage
References
- ^ a b c d e Obituary, Jessie Smith Lucas, Cathy M. Williams Funeral Home, February 10, 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021
- ISBN 978-0-252-09750-8.
- ^ a b c Tony Burke, "Obituary: Jessie Smith", Blues & Rhythm, No.359, May 2021, p.12
- ^ a b Braun, Barrett (January–February 1990). "Benny Sharp & The Sharpees" (PDF). The Blues Letter: 5, 11.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 9780380700974.
- ^ "Artist's Biographies: The Ikettes" (PDF). Billboard. February 10, 1962. p. 26.
- ^ Cooperman, Jeannette (February 26, 2010). "A Conversation With Robbie Montgomery". St. Louis Magazine.
- ^ "Ikettes Chart History". Billboard.[dead link]
- ^ "From Music Capitals of the World: Los Angeles" (PDF). Billboard. April 16, 1966. p. 34.
- ^ "The Mirettes Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF, US & UK hits charts.
- ^ Robbie Montgomery of 'Sweetie Pie's' Mourns the Passing of Her Best Friend Jesse Smith Lucas
- ^ "Studio Productions: New Orleans and Los Angeles 1963–1965 – Ike Turner | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.