Remembering Blues legend "Ma" Rainey who was born 130 years ago today on April 26, 1886. Wikipedia: "Ma" Rainey (born Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett; c. April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest known professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. She was billed as The Mother of the Blues. She began performing as a young teenager (between the ages of 12 and 14), and performed under the name Ma Rainey after she and Will Rainey were married in 1904. They toured with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels and later 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, including "Bo-weevil Blues" (1923), "Moonshine Blues" (1923), "See See Rider Blues" (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. Her powerful voice was never adequately captured on her records, due to her recording exclusively for Paramount, which was at the time known for its below-average recording techniques and poor shellac quality. However, Rainey's other qualities are present and most evident in her early recordings, "Bo-weevil Blues" and "Moonshine Blues". Rainey recorded with Louis Armstrong in addition to touring and recording with the Georgia Jazz Band. She continued to tour until 1935 when she retired to her hometown. She died of a heart attack on December 22, 1939 at age 53. The featured song is titled "Prove It On Me," recorded in 1928. The song's lyrics allude to Ma Rainey's presumed lesbianism, one of the earliest examples of a gay anthem. #marainey #happybirthday #thisdayinmusic #1920smusic #proveitonme #blues #blueslegends #gaysongs https://www.instagram.com/p/BrEU_Q7Bons/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fupaz9lc39gb
