Bette Smith

Critically acclaimed rock & soul singer Bette Smith traces elements of her life-affirming new album “The Good, The Bad & The Bette” to her childhood in Brooklyn, NY. Musically, it connects to the gospel music she heard in church and the soul music on the corners. This injection of soul and gospel into rock & roll powered a breakout in 2017’s “Jetlagger,” which received raves from NPR, American Songwriter, Billboard, MOJO, and a feature in the New York Times. Now, “The Good, The Bad & The Bette” on Ruf Records is garnering equal praise with “All Things Considered” calling it “A stompin’ good time!” and landing on legendary critic Jim DeRogatis’ (“Sound Opinions”) “Best Albums of 2020” list. In 2021, Living Blues and Blues Blast magazines, respectively, nominated Bette and her album “Blues Artist of the Year (Female)” and best “Soul Blues Album.” The past couple years, Bette toured with the Drive-By Truckers and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and performed at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Calgary Folk Music Festival and Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In 2023, Bette will return to Europe with performances in Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Spain.