WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.
Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.
Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter
Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps
Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the podcast for this week at the bottom of this post.
Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org
Today, we pay tribute to Bessie Smith , the original Empress of the Blues,
to mark the 134th anniversary of her birth.
BESSIE SMITH RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
National Women’s Hall of Fame
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
WRFG ROUTE PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Down Yonder Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra Decca Records 1949
Down Hearted Blues
Bessie Smith
Columbia Records 1923
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
Nina Simone
Pastel Blues 1965
The Two Little Squirrels (Nuts to You) Louis Jordan Decca Records 1941
Open The Door, Richard! The Three Flames Columbia Records 1947
Juice Head Baby Eddie Vinson & Jay McShann Jumpin’ The Blues 1969
Gulf Coast Blues
Ella Fitzgerald & Her Famous Orchestra
Decca Records 1940
You’ve Been a Good Ole Wagon
Candye Kane
Swango 1998
St. Louis Blues
Bessie Smith
Columbia Records 1925
Empty Bed Blues
Linda Hopkins
Me and Bessie 1976
Morning Glory Big Joe Turner Aladdin Records 1948
Do It Again Kieran Brown Loving You 2025
Caravan Roomful Of Blues Hot Little Mama 1981
Preachin’ The Blues
Queen Latifah & Trombone Shorty
Performance at the White House (PBS Special) 2016
Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair
Bessie Smith & Her Blue Boys
Columbia Records 1927
Don’t Cry Baby
Ray Charles
Sweet & Sour Tears 1964
Straighten Up & Fly Right Nat King Cole Capitol Records 1943
Frim Fram Sauce Slim Gaillard Xavier Records 1963
Blues For The Red Boy Todd Rhodes Sensation Records 1947
Them There Eyes Roy Milton Roy Milton Records 1947
Do Your Duty
Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women
Old, New, Borrowed & Blue 1994
Night and Day The Interplay Jazz Orchestra Bite Your Tongue 2026
Boogie Woogie Woman B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1952
Paradise Squat Count Basie Mercury Records 1952
Trombone Butter
Dinah Washington
Sings Bessie Smith 1958
Gimme a Pigfoot
Bessie Smith
Okah Records 1934
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005
WRFG Route 66 