Smith was a master of the “classic blues,
” a jazz-influenced style of singing that brought the inflections and expressions of blues to popular vaudeville tunes such as “There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.
” Smith worked with many jazz musicians, including Clarence Williams, Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Sidney Bechet, and Coleman Hawkins. From each of these master artists Smith learned a keen sense of timing and phrasing, and sophisticated vocal techniques. She was...