Jessie Smith (singer)

Jessie Smith (1941 – February 4, 2021) was an American R&B vocalist. She began her career singing with musician Benny Sharp, recording as Little Miss Jessie. Smith was best known as one of the original Ikettes in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. She later sang backing vocals for various artists, including Dr. John, Paul Williams, Al Kooper, José Feliciano, and Leon Ware.

Jessie Smith (singer)
Background information
Also known asLittle Miss Jessie
Jessie David
Jessie Smith Lucas
Born1941
OriginSt. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 4, 2021
GenresR&B
Occupation(s)Singer
Associated actsBenny Sharp
The Ikettes
Ike & Tina Turner
The Mirettes

Life and career
Main articles: The Ikettes and The Mirettes

Jessie Smith was reared in Alton, Illinois. She was a member of the Belle Street Temple Church Of God In Christ, under the leadership of Superintendent R.J. Monroe, and sang gospel solos and with choirs as a teenager. She was a part of The Monroe-Ettes, a female gospel group, with Missionary Norma Smith and Wanda Thompson.

Smith began her career singing with bandleader Benny Sharp and his band the Zorros of Rhythm in St. Louis.[1] Sharp's band included New Breed, a vocal trio consisting of Stacy Johnson, Vernon Guy, and Horise O'Toole. Backed by Sharp and his band, Smith released the single, "My Baby Has Gone" / "St. Louis Sunset Twist," on Chicago's Mel-O Records under the name Little Miss Jessie in 1961.[2]

By 1962, Smith, Johnson, and Guy had left Sharp to join the Ike & Tina Turner Revue which had relocated to Los Angeles.[2] Smith along with Robbie Montgomery who she knew from St. Louis and Venetta Fields (a gospel singer from Buffalo) formed the first official incarnation of the Ikettes.[3] The revue toured throughout the country performing a grueling schedule of one-nighters.[4] They performed at prominent venues such as the Apollo Theater in New York, the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., and the Uptown Theater in Philadelphia.[5] As an Ikette, Smith performed on the American television shows American Bandstand, Hollywood A Go-Go, and Shindig!. Two of the Ikettes' biggest hits were released on Modern Records in 1965, "Peaches 'N' Cream" (Pop No. 36, R&B No. 28) and "I'm So Thankful" (Pop No. 74, R&B No. 12).[6] Later that year Smith, Fields and Montgomery left the revue and formed the Mirettes in 1966, named after their new label Mirwood Records.[7] They released a few singles, including "In the Midnight Hour" (Pop No. 45, R&B No. 18) in 1968.[8] After they disbanded, Smith continued to record as a backing vocalist in the 1970s. On occasion she teamed up with former band member Robbie Montgomery for sessions, such as the recording of Dr. John albums In The Right Place (1973), Triumvirate, (1973), and Desitively Bonnaroo (1974).

After her R&B career, she returned to her gospel roots at the Monroe Memorial Church, under Bishop Samuel E. White. She died February 4, 2021.

Discography

Singles
  • 1961: "My Baby Has Gone" / "St. Louis Sunset Twist: (Mel-O 101)
  • 1973: "When Love Calls Your Name" (with Mickey Stevenson) / "Please Go" (GSF 6899)

Backing vocal credits

References
  1. Greensmith, Bill; Camarigg, Mark; Rowe, Mike (2015). Blues Unlimited: Essential Interviews from the Original Blues Magazine. University of Illinois Press. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-252-09750-8.
  2. Braun, Barrett (January–February 1990). "Benny Sharp & The Sharpees" (PDF). The Blues Letter: 5, 11.
  3. Turner, Tina; Loder, Kurt (1986). I, Tina: My Life Story. Internet Archive. New York : Avon Books.
  4. "Artist's Biographies: The Ikettes" (PDF). Billboard: 26. February 10, 1962.
  5. Cooperman, Jeannette (February 26, 2010). "A Conversation With Robbie Montgomery". St. Louis Magazine.
  6. "Ikettes Chart History". Billboard.
  7. "From Music Capitals of the World: Los Angeles" (PDF). Billboard: 34. April 16, 1966.
  8. "The Mirettes Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF, US & UK hits charts.
  9. "Studio Productions: New Orleans and Los Angeles 1963–1965 – Ike Turner | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
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