Smith, Clara
Smith, Clara
Smith, Clara , blues singer; b. Spartanburg, S.C., 1894; d. Detroit, Mich., Feb. 2, 1935. Smith had extensive work on the theater circuits from the early 1910s and began her recording career in 1923 with Fletcher Henderson, singing “I Never Miss the Sunshine/Awful Moanin’ Blues” (1923) and made several duets with with Bessie Smith: “My Man Blues” (1925), “It’s Tight Like That,” (1929), and “Papa I Don’t Need You Now” (1929). Smith made many records in the 1920s, accompanied by all-star personnel, including Lemuel Fowler, Louis Armstrong, and Coleman Hawkins. She appeared regularly at the Strollers’ Club in N.Y. during the early 1930s; played a six-month residency at Orch. Gardens, Detroit, then played dates in Cleveland. Smith died of heart trouble at the Parkside Hospital, Detroit. Clara Smith was not related to Bessie Smith, Trixie Smith (d. Sept. 21, 1943), or Laura Smith (d. Feb. 1932).
—John Chilton , Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter