Born April 26, 1886

Born April 26, 1886 Gertrude “Ma” Rainey was a pioneer of the Blues. She recorded almost a hundred songs including “Bo-Weavil Blues,” “Moonshine Blues,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” After she stopped performing Ma Rainey owned several theaters in her hometown of Columbus, Georgia.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

Submitted by Roger Keehner

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