LB Brown Festival carries double legacy after founder's death

🎵Mamie Smith: Pioneer of the Blues🎵 In 1920, actress and performer Mamie Smith became widely recognized as the first Black artist to record vocal blues, leaving a lasting mark on music history! Born Mamie Robinson in Cincinnati in 1883, she began performing in vaudeville at just 10 years old. By 1913, she had moved to Harlem, performing on stage, marrying William “Smithy” Smith, and building a versatile career in music, theater, and film. In February 1920, she recorded “That Thing Called Love”