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Ma Rainey (April 26, 1886 - December 22, 1939)was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. She was billed as The Mother of the Blues. She did much to develop and popularize the form and was an important influence on younger blues women, such as Bessie Smith, and their careers. Born as Gertrude Pridgett, Ma Rainey came onto the performance scene at a talent show in Columbus, Georgia when she was 12 years old. She recorded under the name ‘Ma Rainey’ after she and Will Rainey were married in 1904. They toured with F.S. Wolcott’s Rabbit Foot Minstrels and later in 1916, formed their own group called ‘Rainey and Rainey, Assassinators of the Blues. ’ From the time of her first recording in 1923 to five years later, Ma Rainey made over 100 recordings. Some of them include, Bo-weevil Blues (1923), Moonshine Blues (1923), See See Rider (1924), Black Bottom (1927), and Soon This Morning (1927). Ma Rainey was known for her very powerful vocal abilities, energetic disposition, majestic phrasing, and a ‘moaning’ style of singing similar to folk tradition. Though her powerful voice and disposition are not captured on her recordings, the other characteristics are present, and most evident on her early recordings, Bo-weevil Blues and Moonshine Blues. Ma Rainey also recorded with Louis Armstrong in addition to touring and recording with the Georgia Jazz Band. On tour in the South and Mexico during the 1920s, she was referred to as “Madame. ” Ma Rainey continued to tour until 1935 when she retired to her hometown.

More about Ma Rainey at Wikipedia