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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSMITH, Trixie(b 1895, Atlanta GA; d 21 Sep. '43, NYC) Blues singer, one of the famous but unrelated Smiths (Bessie, Clara, Mamie). Attended Selma U but went to NYC and worked there in theatres from '15, at Reisenweber's Restaurant '22, many shows and revues incl. non-singing dramatic roles with Mae West in The Constant Sinner '31, film The Black King '32. She recorded for Black Swan '22--3, records also appearing on Paramount, then Paramount '24--6; eight sides on Decca '38 (one unissued) with band incl. Charlie Shavers, Sidney Bechet. In '24--5 her Down Home Syncopators were Fletcher Henderson's band, sometimes so called, incl. variously Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Green, Buster Bailey; on an early '25 date the Original Memphis Five, a white band with trumpeter Phil Napoleon (b Fillipo Napoli, 2 Sep. '01, Boston MA) and Miff Mole. |