Ma Rainey

Ma Rainey, born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Georgia, was an early professional blues singer known as the “Mother of the Blues.” After performing in vaudeville and traveling tent shows, she signed with Paramount Records in 1923 and recorded nearly 100 sides over the next five years. Her powerful voice and commanding stage presence helped establish blues as a major commercial form, while her performances influenced younger artists including Bessie Smith. Her 1924 recording “See See Rider Blues,” made with Louis Armstrong, was later recognized by the Library of Congress for its historical significance.