On this episode of Jack Dappa Blues, enjoy the collaboration of Jack Dappa Blues Radio and Southern Ohio Folklife for a conversation w/ Lady D (West Virginia’s First Lady of Soul) to talk about her recent performance of The Lady and the Empress, a one-woman show about the life and music of Bessie Smith, the Empress of the Blues. Learn about Bessie Smith, her role in Blues music, her lasting impact, and why Lady D was drawn to her life story.

On the day of the interview, Lady D later performed at the Southern Ohio Museum of The Lady and the Empress!

This project is made possible by Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachia Living Traditions program. Project collaborators include the 14th Street Community Center, Time Out for Me Inc., Portsmouth Unity Project, Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, The African American Folklorist, and Jack Dappa Blues Heritage Preservation Foundation.

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Facebook: @MidAtlanticArts @CentralAppalachiaLivingTraditions @southern.ohio.museum @jackdappabluesradio @TheAfricanAmericanFolklorist @ladyandtheempress @fourteenthst @TimeOutForMeInc @dafields

Instagram: @fieldsdoris @MidAtlanticArts @centralapplivingtrad @jackdappabluesradio @africanamericanfolklorist @southern.ohio.musum