Photo credit: Justin VanNoy for Steed Media Service
HBO honored the legacy of blues legend, Bessie Smith, with its new film “Bessie” with the launch of the “Bessie 81 Tour.”
Smith was a classic blues phenom in the 1920s, becoming one of the highest paid black entertainers and taking home as much as $2,000 a week from performances of her own songs like “Nobody Knows you When You’re Down and Out,” “Empty Bed Blues” and “Backwater Blues.” “Bessie” stars Queen Latifah as Smith, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tory Kittles, Tika Sumpter, Charles S. Dutton and Mo’Nique.
The event was invitation-only and premiered in New York offering attendees a musical showcase of local talents selected by the industry’s elite such as Deva Mahal, Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Adeline Michele and Phony PPL. Students of music will also get the chance to chat with singer/songwriter, Stacy Barthe, and acclaimed Grammy-winning producer, Bryan-Michael Cox, in a private workshop to gain inside knowledge on how to further their careers in the industry.
Tune into HBO when the film airs on May 16 at 8 p.m. Also, check out the gallery below to see photos of the musical showcase in New York City.
Photo credit: Justin VanNoy for Steed Media Service
