HBO Launches ‘Bessie’s 81 Theatre Tour’ Event Series and Soundtrack Featuring Queen Latifah

In celebration of HBO's new film starring Queen Latifah as blues singer Bessie Smith, the premium channel announces the launch of Bessie’s 81 Theatre Tour. Bessie will air on May 16 at 8 p.m. The launch of the tour will feature a three-day takeover, comprised of a Music Showcase, private workshop with a top songwriter and producer and culminate with a concert with a surprise performance. Music Showcase with acts Deva Mahal, Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Adeline Michele and Phony Ppl takes place tonight and the Surprise Performance Concert is on Thursday night.

The two-city event will coincide with the Manhattan red carpet premiere of the film. Also starring in Bessie are Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tory Kittles, Tika Sumpter, Charles S. Dutton, Mo’Nique and more. The tour will conclude in Los Angeles in May leading up to the on air premiere. The program’s DJ-in-residence for New York and Los Angeles will be DJ D-Nice

“When thinking about how we wanted to build buzz about the film, we wanted to do something that was completely unique and immersive,” said Lucinda Martinez, SVP of Multicultural Marketing. “We’re confident that this event series properly honors the legacy of Bessie Smith by showcasing aspiring songwriters and producers. We want to raise awareness for the film, create connections and offer these young creatives a platform to share their craft. And hopefully inspire, through Bessie, the next great Born in Chattanooga, TN in 1894, Smith first rose to fame thanks to her track “Downhearted Blues.”

The film's soundtrack will be available digitally on May 12. A physical disc release will be made available on June 2nd. The album, by Legacy Records, features seven new Queen Latifah performances remixed and produced by Adam Blackstone and Queen Latifah. The album also features modern performances of blues, jazz and swing classics and two new instrumental arrangements from Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks. view the tracklist below:

Bessie (Music from the HBO Film)

1) Young Woman's Blues - Queen Latifah
2) Hot Time In The Old Town  - Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
3) Prove It On Me -  Carmen Twillie
4) Weary Blues - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven
5) Weepin' Woman Blues - Queen Latifah & Pat Bass
6) See See Rider - Tamar-kali
7) Ballin' The Jack - Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band
8) Down Hearted Blues  -  Queen Latifah
9) A Good Man Is Hard to Find -  Fats Waller & His Rhythm
10) Preachin' The Blues - Queen Latifah
11) I've Got What It Takes (But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Away) - Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
12) Work House Blues - Queen Latifah
13) I'm a Mighty Tight Woman - Sippie Wallace
14) (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue - Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra
15) Laugh, Clown, Laugh - Cécile McLorin Salvant
16) Long Old Road - Queen Latifah
17) Gimme A Pigfoot and A Bottle of Beer (2015 Remix) - Bessie Smith featuring Queen Latifah

Related: Queen Latifah’s HBO Film ‘Bessie’ Will Premiere May 16
Queen Latifah Will Star As Bessie Smith in HBO Biopic ‘Bessie’