Smith, Andrea

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Smith, Andrea

(Andrea Michele Smith)

PERSONAL: Born in Brooklyn, NY; children: one son.

ADDRESSES: Home—GA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Random House, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

CAREER: Writer.

AWARDS, HONORS: Fellowships from Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center and New York Foundation for the Arts.

WRITINGS:

Friday Nights at Honeybee's, Dial Press (New York, NY), 2003.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Canaan Creek, a novel.

SIDELIGHTS: Andrea Smith's debut novel, Friday Nights at Honeybee's, is a story of friendship formed in the Harlem brownstone boardinghouse of Honeybee McColor, where jazz, food, and soul food come together twice a month. The story is set in the 1960s, and is based on fact. "This tremendous story will take you back to a time when jazz was in full swing," wrote Stacey Seay in a review for RAWSISTAZ Review, "and carry you through to a time when the music form became overshadowed by its more contemporary musicians."

In the novel, Viola Bembrey, the beautiful daughter of a South Carolina preacher, flees for New York after she is driven from her church and her town because of a brief extramarital affair. Up until this point, she has met expectations, singing in the church choir and marrying a man approved of by her father. It is her discovery of music in a little blues shack in the woods that changes her life, and when her affair is discovered, a friend slips her a note with the name and address of her twin sister, Honeybee McColor, who was also born and raised in Jasperville, and whose life in Harlem is discussed in whispers.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn-born Forestine Brent must count on her voice rather than her looks in order to rise in the world of jazz. She has suffered an unpleasant childhood, being criticized by a mother who dotes on her older daughter, but her father, Willie, recognizes her talent and introduces her to Nick, a retired blues musician, who helps her get a gig at a local bar. Forestine and Viola ultimately meet at the Big House, where Viola is finally able to establish her independence and Forestine's singing career is propelled forward by her performances at Honeybee's and local clubs and discovery by a jazz great who becomes her mentor.

Sharon Hudson reviewed Friday Nights at Honeybee's for MyShelf.com, calling Honeybee and the other characters "a hoot." Hudson felt that Smith does "a wonderful job of bringing in the essence of blues and jazz into the story…. The melding of fiction and reality make for an interesting read." Hudson noted that the inclusion of actual performers in her story proves "that Ms. Smith did her homework."

Smith told Cydney Rax in an interview for Book-Remarks.com that her father was an amateur jazz musician and that her aunt, Stella Timmons, was married to jazz musician Bobby Timmons, who she includes in the story. "Though I grew up with jazz in my life," said Smith, "when writing the book, I had to immerse myself in the world to try and capture the flavor. Ultimately, the book is less about jazz and more about the two women and their journey of self discovery. But still, trying to understand the 1960s jazz scene to write about it articulately, was very challenging."

Smith, who was born in Brooklyn, now resides in Georgia with her son. She told Rax that,as a child, she was able to make the rare trip from her home to Harlem, which she described as "very colorful and large. Also it was the mecca of the black arts. Harlem was as much of an oasis for me as the Big House was for Forestine and Viola."

A reviewer for Book-Remarks.com wrote that "with a cast of characters as compassionate as they are unique, this unforgettable novel overflows with energy, heart, and humanity." In reviewing the novel for Decaturdaily.com, Emily Love wrote that "if you don't consider yourself a jazz or blues fan, reading this book might change your mind. Andrea Smith describes a song in such detail; you can almost hear the music." Love felt that Friday Nights at Honeybee's leaves "a few loose ends that make the reader crave one more chapter," but added that "I don't think anyone will be disappointed." Booklist reviewer Michele Leber commented on the "warmth and caring" that helps both women through difficult times, calling Friday Nights at Honeybee's a "wonderful celebration of music and community."