Helene Smith

Miami’s First Lady of Soul, Helene Smith, made her mark on the music industry with her soulful sound. She released 45s on various labels including Blue Star, Lloyd, Deep City, Phil L.A. Of Soul, Dash, and Dade. As the first artist to record for Clarke-Pearsall Productions, Miami’s pioneering independent black production company, she paved the way for others in the industry.

Helene Smith's musical journey was intertwined with her personal life. She married Johnny Pearsall at a young age and continued to live in Miami where they had a daughter together. Johnny owned a record store and both he and Helene were passionate about music until his unfortunate passing. Despite this loss, Helene carried on their mission by working with children and becoming a teacher in the Miami school district.

Not only did Helene Smith break barriers as an artist but she also left a lasting impact on Miami's Deep City label. She became the only artist on that label to record a full-length LP. Her talent and dedication continue to inspire aspiring musicians today.