Ruby Smith (August 24, 1903 – March 24, 1977) was an American classic female blues singer. She was a niece, by marriage, of the better-known Bessie Smith, who discouraged Ruby from pursuing a recording career. Nevertheless, following Bessie's death in 1937, Ruby recorded on various labels between 1938 and 1947. She was also known for her candid observations on her own and Bessie's lifestyle.
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 travelling together on tour. In Atlanta, Georgia, Ruby spent a night in jail after being caught bringing moonshine for her aunt to consume.
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Bessie & Ruby with the Dancing Sheiks 1924 |
In 1927, Ruby was part of the female entourage led by Bessie to the "buffet flats" in Detroit, Michigan. These were speakeasies that specialized in live sex shows. 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.
Shortly afterwards, Ruby adopted the stage name Ruby Smith, and less than a year later she recorded six tracks, including a cover version of Bessie's "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair Blues". At the same session she recorded her version of "Draggin' My Heart Around", by Alex Hill.
In March 1939, Smith recorded, under the musical direction of James P. Johnson, "He's Mine, All Mine" and "Backwater Blues" (the latter written by Bessie Smith and Johnson). In December 1941, backed by an ensemble led by Sammy Price, she recorded two more tracks, "Why Don't You Love Me Anymore?" and her own song "Harlem Gin Blues". Her final recording sessions took
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place in August 1946 and January 1947 when she recorded a total of eight titles with ex-Fats Waller sax and clarinet man Gene "Honeybear" Sedric, still channelling the Bessie Smith sound at times, but also lightening up and singing "cool" like Una Mae Carlisle, or grooving out and sounding like Billie Holiday would ten years later.
Ruby's internet trail goes cold in the 50's and 60's until 1971 when she recorded an interview as Ruby Walker with Chris Albertson in which she describes fourteen years on the road with Bessie Smith. After getting paid for the interview, she used the money to fulfill a dream and move to California.
Smith died on March 24, 1977, in Anaheim, California, at the age of 73. (Edited mainly from Wikipedia)