Jackson Free Press

Imagine walking into Underground 119 on a Wednesday night. The "don't-weigh-a-hundred-pounds-soaking-wet" singer has on a funky cocktail dress, complete with boas and outlandish hats. She and the pianist are blowing the roof off the place with her explosive pipes and his energetic attack of the ivories. No, you haven't stumbled upon cabaret night—it's just Baby Jan and All That Chazz rocking out their wide range of musical styles.

Baby Jan Smith and Chalmers Davis joined forces in the spring after meeting and working with each other in the choir loft at Wells United Methodist Church. The two hit it off, and have been performing all over Jackson since mid-summer.

Smith grew up in the rural Delta town of Shaw in a musical family. Just about everyone in her family has an overabundance of artistic talents.

After years of singing at church functions, Smith began singing solos at school choir competitions, which got her an invite to sing at school proms with The Sausage and Biscuit Boys (later becoming The Tangents), and recording with Mississippi singer and songwriter Duff Dorrough in Memphis, Tenn. In the late 1970s, she and her brother Jody formed a band at Mississippi State University, and she also joined the country band Dixie Rose as a vocalist and guitarist.

In 1981, Smith moved to Jackson to teach special education and started jamming with good friend and musician Mark Weilenman. While playing with Weilenman, Smith added the mandolin and congas to her repertoire of instruments. Between teaching, earning her master's degree, marriage and a baby, Smith took a hiatus from performing publicly for almost 10 years. While she kept busy, Smith worked in some time to play in small acoustic groups. She learned to play electric guitar and bass.

Then, in 1996, Smith became a founding member of the all-girl do-wop group, The Earth Angels. Smith performs as Bubbles with the group, singing covers from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The Earth Angels have performed with The Box Tops, Johnny Rivers, Jason D. Williams, and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Davis is no stranger to the Jackson music scene. Playing in various bands since age 14, Davis' first real big break came when he joined the North American Recording Studio Rhythm Section based out of Jackson. During a stint in Muscle Shoals, Ala., and also in Nashville, Tenn., Davis worked on his degree from the University of North Alabama as a commercial music, business and photography major. Davis has worked with numerous acts, ranging from country royalty like The Carter Family and Johnny Cash, to southern rockers Dickie Betts and Gregg Allman.

Davis has appeared on "The Jay Leno Show," President Clinton's inauguration, the "Johnny Cash Christmas Special," "The Today Show," "Kennedy Center Honors" and the "HBO Rock ‘n' Roll Hall of Fame Dedication."

For the past 21 years, Davis recorded and toured with living legend Little Richard, and traveled to dozens of countries to represent the state with his musical talent. Davis owns Chazmosis Music Publishing and Windy Ridge Music, where he records other musicians as well as teaches piano lessons.

Follow the JFP music listings to see when Baby Jan and All That Chazz perform in Jackson. Both are incredibly talented, and I promise: They will entertain you. `Next time you see me out, please say hello!