Bessie Chris Albertson

This book-a revised and expanded edition of the definitive biography of Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues"-debunks many of the myths that circulated after her untimely death in 1937. For this new edition, Chris Albertson provides more details of Bessie's early years, new interview material, and a chapter devoted to events and responses that followed the original publication.

Chris Albertson is the acknowledged authority on Bessie Smith. A longtime contributor to Stereo Review, Down Beat, Saturday Review, and other publications, he has written extensive liner notes for jazz and blues albums and has produced a wide array of recordings, radio, and television programmes.

This year Chris will be inducted into the '2012 Blues Hall of Fame' given by the National Blues Foundation.

"Seeking justice for Bessie has been a life's work for Albertson, and this reissue is greatly to be welcomed... an exemplary biography" John Mole, Times Literary Supplement

"The first estimable full-length biography not only of Bessie Smith but of any black musician." Whitney Balliett, New Yorker (on the first edition)

"A remarkably clear-eyed examination of Smith's personality (and sexuality) and, more important, of the gritty and greedy music business." Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly