In 1910, Smith began working on African-American theater circuits, in tent shows, and
vaudeville. By 1918, she was appearing as a headliner with the
Theater Owners Booking Association circuit across Southern states. By 1923, she had performed at major theatres of the time such as the Lyric in
New Orleans, the Dream Theatre in
Columbus, Georgia, the
Bijou Theatre in
Nashville, and the
Booker T. Washington Theatre in
St. Louis. working with many other musicians such as
Fletcher Henderson,
Louis Armstrong, and
Don Redman. She recorded three duets with
Bessie Smith: "Far Away Blues" and "I'm going back to My Used To Be" (Columbia 13007-D), on October 4, 1923 and "My Man Blues" (Columbia 14098-D), on September 1, 1925. She recorded
Tom Delaney's "Troublesome Blues" in 1927. Initially a singer of depressing ballads, she later began recording more uptempo numbers. Her May 1926 recording of "Whip It to a Jelly" was noted as "one of the more overt
sexual blues". Smith cut 122 sides, all with Columbia Records, with her record sales being topped only by Bessie Smith. Clara Smith was known across the U.S., even performing on the West Coast, which was rare for a blues singer. During her time performing, Smith met young
Josephine Baker and chose to mentor her. Smith and Baker are thought to have had a romantic relationship for a time, notably being referred to as "lady lovers" by a colleague. In 1933, she was on the road in
Detroit,
Michigan and worked at theaters in revues there until she succumbed to
heart disease in February 1935, a month short of her 41st birthday. ==Discography==