Our Legends & History Makers – “Culan’s Wall of Fame”

Mamie Smith

The late “Mamie Smith” Cincinnati’s first true “Queen Of The Blues” of the late 1800’s to the mid 1900’s.
Born May 26, 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio (Hamilton County), died September 16, 1946 New York, NY.
Instrument: Piano, Vocal, Dancer.
Film Appearances: 1936 “Paradise In Harlem”, with Luckey Millinder Orch “Mystery In Swing 1939“, “Murder On Lenox Ave.” 1940, “Sunday Sinners” 1941, Because I Live You”, in 1943.
Entered Harlem Hospital in 1944 where she died after a lengthy illness. Buried at Frederick Duglas – Memorial Park
Cemetery Staten Island NY “Queen Of The Blues”

Mr. Keith Little
Click image to see full bio

Mamie Smith 05/26/83 – 09/16/46

Married William “Smitty” Smith, singer (c1912); Sam Gardner, comedian (1920) ________ Goldberg (c1929), no relations to Bessie Smith, Clara Smith/Trixie Smith.

Awards/Honors: Recognized as the first Negro to record a vocal blues (“Crazy Blues,” OKeh 4169, August 10th, 1920).

Quotes: “It was her pioneering work that paved the way for every other artists, regardless of style” —Derrick Steward-Baxter. Ma Rainy the Classic Blues Singers, Studio Vista LTD. 1970 “she was a very high class entertainer, as well as being one of the best looking women in the business. . .—Willie “The Lion” Smith, “Music On My Mind”, Doubleday & Company, 1964 (Click Images Below To See Bio)

Cincinnati’s United Local Artists Network Inc. (Culan Inc.) 1998