Ross Porter in Montreal 2012

Ross Porter is on assignment covering the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. He sent us this report.

Over its 33 year history, the Montréal Jazz Festival has gained a reputation for presenting the best in live music. Understandably, musical theatre hasn't been a large part of what has been offered over the years. One of the best kept secrets at this year's festival is the presentation of a one woman play, The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith: The Devil's Music.

Blues legend Bessie Smith (1895-1937) has all but faded from musical view over the decades but there is no denying her impact on jazz and blues was substantial. Her repertoire, emotional intensity and expressive manner, made her one of the most important singers of her generation.

Bessie Smith was one of the music world's true characters.  She had a bad temper, drank heavily, used profanity, smoked pot, and was bisexual. At one point she was the highest paid black performer in the United States. Smith died in semi obscurity in 1937 at the age of 44. Her grave remained unmarked until 1970, when Janis Joplin helped cover the cost of a headstone.

Understandably, anyone with real firsthand knowledge of Smith's turbulent life is long gone, which makes this festival presentation an important part of keeping the legacy alive.

The musical features American Miche Braden as Bessie Smith, backed by a trio of musicians. The setting is an after hours joint where black artists were required to stay while on the road and barred from regular hotels. The scene is set in Memphis on September 25, 1937, the eve of Smith’s death.

The play follows Smith's bittersweet reflections on her childhood, racial segregation,  marriages and life in music. As Smith's character becomes more intoxicated throughout the evening, she reveals much about her painful, troubled life. From being told that she was too black to be signed to a coloured record label, to run ins with the Klan, to losing custody of her child because she was perceived as being an unfit mother, to her bitter frustration at having to use a blacks only back door, at a whites only theatre featuring her as the headliner.  At times the show is reminiscent of another one person play, that also took place the eve before the performer died, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave.

This is outstanding musical theatre. Miche Braden's portrayal of Bessie Smith is highly convincing and the narrative, as complex as it is, is easy to follow.  Throughout, you genuinely care about Smith and understand how she was driven to a level of self destruction to cope. It is the music that makes the show though, and Braden superbly sings fourteen songs including such classics as "Kitchen Man", "I Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl" and "St. Louis Blues". 


The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra, plays at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal until July 7. For tickets visit www.montrealjazzfest.com or call 514.842.2112

The musical, by Angelo Parra, was originally presented by Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, NY and produced Off Broadway at St. Luke's Theatre.

It is important to remember Bessie Smith, before her memory is all but forgotten.