The Bessie Smith Tribute Celebration ft.The Queens of Blues Thornetta Davis

The Preservation of Jazz Monday Night Music Series Proudly Presents
The 3rd Annual Bessie Smith Tribute
Featuring Thornetta Davis – Queen of the Blues
Hosted by Mike Bonner
Monday, April 13, 2026
Aretha’s Jazz Café – 350 Madison Ave, Detroit, MI
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Showtime: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $40

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The Queen of the Blues Honors the Empress of the Blues
The Preservation of Jazz Monday Night Music Series returns with a powerhouse evening as it proudly presents the 3rd Annual Bessie Smith Tribute, featuring Thornetta Davis — the Queen of the Blues, on Monday, April 13th at Aretha’s Jazz Café.
This electrifying tribute celebrates the legacy of Bessie Smith, the Empress of the Blues, whose commanding voice and fearless spirit laid the foundation for blues, jazz, and soul music. Few artists are as perfectly suited to honor Bessie Smith as Thornetta Davis, widely celebrated as the Queen of the Blues, whose raw authenticity, vocal power, and deep emotional delivery carry the true essence of the blues tradition.
Backed by a stellar band and guided through the evening by host Mike Bonner, this tribute promises an unforgettable night of music rooted in truth, strength, and legacy.

About Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith, known as the Empress of the Blues, was one of the most influential vocalists of the 1920s and early 1930s. With a voice that could command theaters without amplification, Bessie Smith sang of love, loss, independence, and survival with unmatched honesty. Her recordings—including “Downhearted Blues,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” and “Backwater Blues”—helped define the blues as a cornerstone of American music. Her influence can be heard in generations of artists across blues, jazz, rock, and soul.

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About Thornetta Davis – Queen of the Blues
Thornetta Davis, celebrated internationally as the Queen of the Blues, is one of Detroit’s most powerful and respected vocalists. Known for her electrifying performances, soul-shaking voice, and fearless storytelling, Thornetta brings authenticity, grit, and grace to every stage she graces. A multi-award-winning artist, she has toured internationally and performed alongside legends while remaining deeply rooted in the blues tradition. Thornetta Davis doesn’t just sing the blues—she lives them, making her the perfect voice to honor Bessie Smith.
About The Preservation of Jazz
Founded by Sky Covington, The Preservation of Jazz is a Detroit-based cultural institution dedicated to honoring jazz and blues legends, uplifting contemporary artists, and preserving the historical integrity of Black American music. Through its acclaimed Monday Night Music Series, The Preservation of Jazz produces high-quality tribute concerts that blend education, storytelling, and live performance—creating sacred spaces where legacy and community meet.
Event: 3rd Annual Bessie Smith Tribute
Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
Venue: Aretha’s Jazz Café, Detroit
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Showtime: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $40
Featuring: Thornetta Davis — Queen of the Blues
Host: Mike Bonner

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