Clara Smith, born March 13, 1894, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, was an American classic blues singer. She started her career in the early 1910s performing in traveling tent shows and vaudeville circuits. By 1923, she headlined major theaters across the United States, including the Lyric Theatre in New Orleans. That year, Smith moved to New York City, performing in cabarets before signing with Columbia Records. Her first recordings included "I Never Miss the Sunshine (I'm So Used to the Rain)" and "Awful Moanin' Blues" with Fletcher Henderson. Throughout her career, she collaborated with notable musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Don Redman, and recorded duets with Bessie Smith, including "My Man Blues". She released 122 recordings with Columbia Records, achieving significant commercial success. Clara Smith died on February 2, 1935, from a heart condition. Her posthumous releases include Clara Smith Vol. 6 (1930-1932) and The Essential Clara Smith: 1924-1929.
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