Book a Table in the Moldy Fig - Open for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner

JULIA TITUS presents MA BESSIE

About this event

Member Ticket only - £15
Non-member Ticket only– £20
Member Dining + Ticket – £45
Non-member Dining + Ticket – £50


Hotel Deal Dinner Bed & Breakfast plus tickets for 2 just £159 per couple

Over 18s only

Doors Open 7pm

1st Set  8.15pm

JULIA TITUS presents MA BESSIE

Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues”, Bessie Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s.  She is often regarded as one of the greatest performers of her era and was a major influence on other jazz singers. Ma Bessie and her band perform a narrated show, featuring music from the period and showcasing many of Bessie's songs. 

The show chronicles Bessie's life from a one-room shack in Blue Goose Hollow, to becoming the highest-paid black entertainer of that time, to the tragic accident on Route 61. 

The band features vocalist Julia Titus aka Ma Bessie, Dominic Barnett (keys), Clare Hirst (sax) and Richard Sadler (bass). 

"She's awesome" Rob Da Bank, Festival Owner and Curator, Camp Bestival

 "Musical highlight" Paddy Maguire, Festival Artistic Director, Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival  

"... there are not many singers around with Bessie's style and certainly few in this country.  An exception is the larger than life and hugely talented Julia Titus"  Michael Eagleton, Marlow Jazz Club