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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BIG MAYBELLE

(b Mabel Louise Smith, 1 May '24, Jackson TN; d 23 Jan. '72, Cleveland OH) R&B singer. Big person with voice to match; sang in Memphis '30s, toured with Sweethearts of Rhythm '36 into '40s, with Tiny Bradshaw '47-- 50. Records on Savoy and OKeh '50s; appeared in film of '58 Newport Jazz Festival Jazz On A Summer's Day '60. Regular at Harlem Savoy '60--67; suffered from increasingly bad health due to diabetes. Compilation CDs The Complete OKeh Sessions '52--5, Candy '56--9 on Savoy; also The Host Of Big Maybelle on Muse.