Ma Bessie and her Blues Troupe
Ma Bessie (Julia Titus) and her Blues Troupe perform to a narrated show about Bessie Smith, featuring music from the era and showcasing many of her songs, whilst chronicling her life from a one-room shack in Blue Goose Hollow, to becoming the highest-paid black entertainer of that time, through to the tragic accident on Route 61 in September 1937 that ended her life aged 43 years.
Features internationally acclaimed drummer, Sam Kelly with Paul Jobson (Musical Director) on piano, Tony Qunta on acoustic guitar, Richard Sadler on upright bass, Chuck Lloyd on sax/clarinet and Kevin Davy on trumpet – perform to a narrated show, featuring music from the era and showcasing many of Bessie‘s songs. The production chronicles her life from a one-room shack in Blue Goose Hollow, through to becoming the highest-paid black entertainer of that time, to the tragic accident on Route 61 in September 1937 which resulted in her untimely death aged 43 years
Chapel Arts Centre
