Ruby Smith

Ruby Smith (August 24, 1903 – March 24, 1977) was an American classic female blues singer. She was a niece, by marriage, of the better-known Bessie Smith, who discouraged Ruby from pursuing a recording career. Nevertheless, following Bessie's death in 1937, Ruby recorded twenty-one sides between 1938 and 1947. She is also known for her candid observations on her own and Bessie's lifestyle.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 24, 1903 (New York City), Died March 24, 1977 (Anaheim)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1938 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-023400	10-in.	5/18/1938	Dream man blues	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with piano	vocalist
Victor	BS-023401	10-in.	5/18/1938	Selfish blues	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with piano	vocalist
Victor	BS-023402	10-in.	5/18/1938	'Lectric chair blues	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with piano	vocalist
Victor	BS-023403	10-in.	5/18/1938	Hard up blues	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with piano	vocalist
Victor	BS-023404	10-in.	5/18/1938	Flyin' mosquito blues	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with piano	vocalist
Victor	BS-023405	10-in.	5/18/1938	Draggin' my heart around	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with piano	vocalist
Victor	D7VB-0038	10-in.	1/8/1947	You satisfy	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	D7VB-0039	10-in.	1/8/1947	Hot sauce Susie	Ruby Smith	Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	D7VB-0040	10-in.	1/8/1947	I'm scared of that woman	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Victor	D7VB-0041	10-in.	1/8/1947	Port wine blues	Ruby Smith	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	vocalist
Decca	69821	10-in.	10/15/1941	Make me love you	Ruby Smith		vocalist
Decca	69822	10-in.	10/15/1941	Fruit cakin' Mama	Ruby Smith		vocalist
Decca	69823	10-in.	10/15/1941	Black gal	Ruby Smith		vocalist
Decca	69824	10-in.	10/15/1941	Thinking blues	Ruby Smith		vocalist
Decca	70029	10-in.	12/10/1941	Why don't you love me any more?	Ruby Smith		vocalist
Decca	70030	10-in.	12/10/1941	Harlem gin blues	Ruby Smith		vocalist

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Smith, Ruby," accessed November 4, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110947.

Smith, Ruby. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/110947.

"Smith, Ruby." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 November 2024.