Born in Tennessee, in 1894 and orphaned by the age of nine, Bessie Smith sang on street corners before becoming a star for the newly founded Columbia Records. Known for her unmatched vocal talent, her timeless blues narratives, her tough persona, and her ability to enrapture audiences, the Empress of the Blues remains a force and an enigma. In this remarkable book, former Scottish Poet Laureate Jackie Kay combines history and personal narrative, poetry and prose to create an enthralling account of an extraordinary life.