Salutes Bessie Smith

by Amina Claudine Myers

Salutes Bessie Smith cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1980
  • Label: Leo
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 43:25
  • Community rating: 3.75/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

AACM-affiliated pianist and vocalist Amina Claudine Myers offers a profound, deeply soulful tribute to the Empress of the Blues on this acclaimed release. Backed by bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Jimmy Lovelace, Myers reinterprets Bessie Smith's classic repertoire through the lens of modern spiritual jazz and free-flowing improvisation. The album is a powerful bridging of early blues foundations and avant-garde expression.

Genres

Descriptors: bluesy, piano, soulful, vocal, tribute

Tracklist

  1. Wasted Life Blues (6:55)
  2. Dirty No-Gooder's Blues (4:09)
  3. Jailhouse Blues (6:43)
  4. It Makes My Love Come Down (3:46)
  5. The Blues (Straight To You) (7:05)
  6. African Blues (14:44)

Credits

  • Amina Claudine Myers - primary artist, voice, piano, organ, written-by
  • Alissa Feigin - artwork
  • Cecil McBee - bass
  • Jimmy Lovelace - drums, bells
  • Bessie Smith - written-by

More from Amina Claudine Myers: full discography