1894-1937. US jazz and blues singer, born in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Known as the `Empress
of the Blues', she established herself in the
1920s after she was discovered by Columbia
Records. She made over 150 recordings
accompanied by such greats as Louis Armstrong
and Benny Goodman. Her popularity waned in
the Depression, and she died after a car
crash when she was refused admission to a
whites only hospital.