Clara Smith was an American classic female blues singer, billed as the "Queen of the Moaners", although she had a lighter and sweeter voice than many of her contemporaries.
10 Facts About Clara Smith
1.
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Clara Smith was not related to the singers Bessie Smith and Mamie Smith.
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Clara Smith was born to parents Selena and William Smith in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
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Clara Smith never was enrolled in school but was recorded on the census as able to read and write.
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In 1910, Clara Smith began working on African-American theater circuits, in tent shows, and vaudeville.
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Clara Smith was then signed to a recording contract, and the same year she made the first of her commercially successful series of gramophone recordings with Columbia Records, working with many other musicians such as Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, and Don Redman.
7.
Clara Smith recorded two duets with Bessie Smith: "My Man Blues" and "Far Away Blues", on September 1,1925.
8.
Clara Smith cut 122 sides, all with Columbia Records, with her record sales being topped only by Bessie Clara Smith.
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Clara Smith was known across the US, even performing on the West Coast, which was rare for a blues singer.
10.
Clara Smith is accredited for giving Baker her start in the recording business, having hired Baker when aged 13 as her dresser.