Mamie Smith was known in the 1920s as the “Queen of the Blues.” On August 10, 1920, along with her group The Jazz Hounds, she recorded Crazy Blues which is generally considered the first genuine blues record ever made. It sold over a million copies in its first year after release by Okeh Records.

Although there had been many recordings made of songs with the word “blues” in the title previous to Smith’s record, this was the first in a true blues format. Additionally, Crazy Blues is thought to be the first record made by a Black artist using the word “blues” in the title. The record was a hit with large sales in the Black community and marked the beginning of an era of popular Black female blues singers. Mamie Smith’s popularity would assist the careers of Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters and others.

Crazy Blues was penned by composer and pianist Perry Bradford who changed the title from the original Harlem Blues written in 1918. Bradford spent time in a courtroom defending his rights to the song. Although Willie “The Lion” Smith is seen on promotional material for the record, it is believed that Bradford actually played piano on the record.

Mamie Smith would go on to have a string of successful records during the 1920s and most certainly led the way for Black artists being able to perform Black music on records for a Black audience. Smith retired from performing for most of the 1930s and passed away in 1946.

Here is a link to Crazy Blues as recorded by Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds on this date 106 years ago today:

"CRAZY BLUES"