"Mother of the Blues", she bridged earlier vaudeville and the authentic expression of southern blues,

Ma Rainey created what is now known as "classic blues" while also portraying black life like never before. As a musical innovator she built on the minstrelsy and vaudeville performative traditions with comedic timing and a hybrid of American blues traditions she encountered in her vast tours across the country. She helped to pioneer a genre that appealed to North and South, rural and urban audiences.[31] Her signature low and gravelly voice sung with Rainey's gusto and authoritative style inspired imitators from Louis Armstrong, Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt among others.[31] In her lyrics, Rainey portrayed the black female experience like few others of the time reflecting a wide range of emotions and experiences.

Category:
Arts - Music

Completion Status:
yes

Patent Number:
N/A