Ma Rainey
American blues singer (1886–1939)
Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (born Gertrude Pridgett, April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939) was an American blues singer. She was one of the first generation of blues singers to record.[1]
Ma Rainey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gertrude Pridgett |
| Born | April 26, 1886 Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 53) Rome, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1899–1933 |
| Labels | Paramount |
Rainey was known as The "Mother of the Blues".[2]
Her first recording was made in 1923. In the next five years, she made over 100 recordings, including "Bo-Weevil Blues" (1923), "Moonshine Blues" (1923), "See See Rider Blues" (1924), "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1927), and "Soon This Morning" (1927).[3]
Rainey died on December 22, 1939 in Rome, Georgia from a heart attack, aged 53.
References
change- ↑ Southern, Eileen (1997). The Music of Black Americans: A History (3rd ed.). W. W. Norton. ISBN 0-393-97141-4.
- ↑ Russonello, Giovanni (2019-06-12). "Overlooked No More: Ma Rainey, the 'Mother of the Blues'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ↑ Lieb, Sandra (1983). Mother of the Blues: A Study of Ma Rainey (3rd ed.). University of Massachusetts Press. ISBN 0-87023-394-7.
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