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Gertrude "Ma" Rainey

By Reverend Keith A. Gordon, About.com

Mother of the Blues:

Georgia-born Ma Rainey (Gertrude Pridgett) was the first recognized Blues artist. She was also the first known recorded Blues artist. She created a vocal style that was later carried on by Bessie Smith. Rainey performed with jug bands and with sophisticated artists like Louis Armstrong. Ma Rainey passed in 1939.

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