Ruby Smith

Biography She was born Ruby Walker in New York City.

She met Bessie Smith, her aunt (by marriage), in Philadelphia. After Bessie's debut recording, in February 1923, Ruby joined her on tour in 1924. Ruby assisted off-stage with costume changes and provided entertainment during intermissions by dancing. Ruby's thoughts of a career as a singer were initially thwarted in 1926 at Bessie's insistence, but they continued traveling together on tour. In Atlanta, Georgia, Ruby spent a night in jail after being caught bringing moonshine for her aunt to consume. In 1927, Ruby was part of the female entourage led by Bessie to the "buffet flats" in Detroit, Michigan. A lengthy recorded interview she gave to Chris Albertson contained references to this time and others, Of a particularly "open house" sex show, Smith said, "People used to pay good just to go in there and see him do his act."

Later Jack Gee, who was married to Bessie at the time, once implored Ruby to take the musical stage after her aunt had walked out in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, the deception did not last long, and in the event Bessie died in 1937.

Recordings

Recording date Track Songwriter Musical direction Record label May 18, 1938 "Dream Man Blues" Bluebird May 18, 1938 "Selfish Blues" Bluebird May 18, 1938 "Hard Up Blues" Joe Davis / Spencer Williams Blind John Davis Bluebird May 18, 1938 "'Lectric Chair Blues" Joe Davis / Spencer Williams Blind John Davis Bluebird May 18, 1938 "Flyin' Mosquito Blues" Bluebird May 18, 1938 "Draggin' My Heart Around" Alex Hill Bluebird March 9, 1939 "Backwater Blues" Bessie Smith / James P. Johnson James P. Johnson March 9, 1939 "He's Mine All Mine" Porter Grainger James P. Johnson October 15, 1941 "Make Me Love You" Porter Grainger October 15, 1941 "Fruit Cakin' Mama" Porter Grainger Sammy Price Decca October 15, 1941 "Black Gal" Porter Grainger Sammy Price Decca October 15, 1941 "Thinkin' Blues" Bessie Smith December 10, 1941 "Why Don't You Love Me Anymore?" Walmsley Sammy Price Decca December 10, 1941 "Harlem Gin Blues" Ruby Smith Sammy Price Decca August 1946 "Chicago Woman Blues" (Part 1) Neil Lawrence Gene Sedric Harmonia August 1946 "Chicago Woman Blues" (Part 2) Neil Lawrence Gene Sedric Harmonia August 1946 "Baby, Baby, Baby Blues" Neil Lawrence Gene Sedric August 1946 "Sedric's Blues" Neil Lawrence / Gene Sedric Gene Sedric January 8, 1947 "You Satisfy" Les Baxter Gene Sedric RCA Victor January 8, 1947 "Port Wine Blues" Bill Samuels Gene Sedric RCA Victor January 8, 1947 "Hot Sauce Susie" Alphonse Demboe Gene Sedric RCA Victor January 8, 1947 "I'm Scared of That Woman" Gene Sedric RCA Victor