In 2023, she was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Baal God Origin & Biblical Significance | Who is Baal? Chinese Xian History & Beliefs | The Impact of Xian in Chinese Culture. The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey | Summary & History. Chiron Origin & Greek Mythology | Who was Chiron? Sergei Prokofiev Biography & Composition | Who was Sergei Prokofiev? Leaning Tower of Pisa Overview & Facts | Where is the Pisa Tower? [14] In 1910, she was described as "Mrs. Gertrude Rainey, our coon shouter". Tarot History, Origins & Decks | What are Tarot Cards? Brookline, MA. Forgery Overview, Laws & Examples | What is Forgery? Minor Prophets: List, Facts & Books | 12 Prophets of the Hebrew Bible. Dukkha: Concept & Examples | What is Suffering in Buddhism? Empire State Building | Background, Height & Facts. In 1916, Rainey separated from her husband and began touring with her own show, Madam Gertrude Ma Rainey and Her Georgia Smart Set, which included a chorus line of male and female dancers. Oni, Japanese Demon: Origins & Stories | What is an Oni? Smith, for example, made millions of dollars for Columbia Records, but could not read and received no royalties. Father's Day Origin & Purpose | What is Father's Day? She retired back to Columbus and died of a heart attack. Leni Riefenstahl Biography, Movies & Propaganda| Who was Leni Riefenstahl? Sheol in the Hebrew Bible: Overview & Significance | What is Sheol? A&E Television Networks. She combined Blues music with vaudeville conventions to create a truly unique sound. Tisiphone in Greek Mythology | Origin, Sisters & Role, Lugh, Celtic God | Origin, Role & Mythology. Roman Curia History & Facts | What is the Papal Curia? Archbishop Role & History | What is an Archbishop? Teletubbies Characters & Show | What are the Teletubbies? High Priest of Israel: Overview & Significance | What was the High Priest? Armenian Language Overview & Alphabet | What is the Armenian Alphabet? Education in Islam: Overview & History | What is Islamic Education? In 1916, after divorcing Pa Rainey, Ma Rainey kickstarted her solo tour with band, Madam Gertrude and Her Georgia Smart Sets. 1996 Centennial Olympic Park Bombing | Overview, History & Facts. 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. Buddhism Rituals: Traditions & Facts | What are Buddhist Practices? Death of God Theology | Overview, History & Facts. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Some sources indicate that she was born in 1882, while most sources assert that she was born on April 26, 1886. Middle Eastern Religions | Overview, Beliefs & Facts, Nerthus in Norse Mythology | Origin, Family & Role, Pax, Roman Goddess of Peace | Mythology, Family & Role, Mythology vs. Thoth & Seshat, the Sacred Scribes | Origin, Mythology & Roles, Saint Lucia's Day | Origin, Celebrations & Traditions. Friendship Overview, Development & Facts | What is Friendship? London Bridge History & Facts | Where is the London Bridge? Eastern Orthodoxy Overview & Facts | Orthodox Christianity & Beliefs. Antipope History, List & Facts | What is an Antipope? That troupe is said to have featured Rainey singing the blues. Livestock Industry | Types, Farming & Agriculture. Fiqh in Islam: Origin & Role | What is Islamic Jurisprudence? Surya in Hinduism: Worship & Facts | Who is the Hindu Sun God? She made her performing debut at the age of 14 in a local show called A Bunch of Blackberries. Laocon and His Sons Sculpture | Myth, Time Period & Significance. She'd take charge. Iglesia ni Cristo Origin & Beliefs | What Does the Church of Christ Believe? Rainey developed a relationship with Bessie Smith. [2] Pridgett claimed to have been born on April 26, 1886 (beginning with the 1910 census, taken April 25, 1910), in Columbus, Georgia. However, the 1900 census indicates she was born in September 1882 in Alabama, and researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc suggest that her birthplace was in Russell County, Alabama. To be a openly bisexual Black woman, even during the flourishing of LGBTQ life that occurred during the 1920s, was to live dangerously. Ma Rainey was one of the matriarchs of early 20th century Blues; in fact, she is often referred to as ''The Mother of Blues.'' After her relationship with Paramount ended, Rainey returned to making a living on the declining tent show circuit, but the living was rough: she cooked her meals on a camp stove and cobbled her costumes together from scraps of old dresses. Pride Parade History & Facts | What is a LGBTQ Pride Parade? May Day History & Traditions | What is May Day? Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Overview & Facts | What is RSS in India? Animal Worship: Overview, History & Facts | What is Zoolatry? Tibetan Buddhism Origin & Beliefs | What is Tibetan Buddhism? Ancient Ouroboros Symbol | History, Significance & Examples, Laurel and Hardy | Careers, Films & Influence. As was often the case with tent show acts, she wintered in New Orleans, where she befriended jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Joe King Oliver. By 1926, however, Dorsey had to leave the band. City Beautiful Movement | Origin, Purpose & Architecture. August Wilson Plays & Biography | Who was August Wilson? Joe Louis, Boxer: Life & Career | Who was Joe Louis? Himeros, God of Sexual Desire: Mythology & Traits | Who was Himeros? Coup d'Etat History, Examples & Impact | What Is a Coup d'Etat? Protestant vs. Catholic | History, Beliefs & Differences. Join Facebook to connect with Dan Rainey and others you may know. Indian Languages: History & Facts | What Languages are Spoken in India? Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (ne Pridgett; April 26, 1886 December 22, 1939)[1][2][3] was an American blues singer and influential early blues recording artist. Crop Circles Causes & Examples | What are Crop Circles? Over the course of her illustrious career, Ma worked with the likes of Joe King Oliver,Louis Armstrong,Sidney Bechet, andPops Foster. Shillings Overview, History & Usage | What is a Shilling? Hedonic Treadmill Theory & Examples | What is Hedonic Adaptation? Mystical Spirituality Overview & Facts | What is Mysticism? Corinth Canal Map & History | Where is the Corinth Canal? In 1981 Sandra Lieb wrote the first full-length book about Rainey, Mother of the Blues: a Study of Ma Rainey. Egyptian Cobra Overview, Myths & Facts | What is an Asp? All Saints' Day Facts & History | What is the Day After Halloween? They even adopted a son named Danny, but the couple separated in 1916. Maltese People: History & Culture | Who are the Maltese People? The woman who would eventually reinvent the blues was born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Georgia on April 26, 1886if you believe her version of events. Guggenheim Museum Architecture & Facts | Who Built Bilbao's Museum? Sir Edmund Hillary Life & Accomplishments | Who was Edmund Hillary? Songs without any twelve-bar or eight-bar structure are classified as non-blues. Bayon Temple History & Facts | What is the Bayon Temple in Cambodia? Rama the Hindu God: History, Facts & Overview | Who is Lord Rama? Red Square Overview & History | What is the Red Square in Moscow? Sun Worship: Gods, Symbols & Facts | What is Sun Worship? Yom Kippur History & Significance | What is Yom Kippur? Separated from her husband in 1916 ." From Persephone Magazine Shortly after beginning her career, [Gertrude Pridgett] met the man who would become her husband. For eight years, she has taught English and Drama in all grades 7-12 and dual enrollment English in public schools, private schools, and virtual schools. Wife of William "Pa" Rainey and unknown unknown Ma signed with them and recorded her first 8 pieces in Chicago. Her impact went far beyond her songwriting and singing, as she was also an openly bisexual Black woman. St. George's Cross | History, Uses & Significance, Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III | Construction, History & Purpose, The Sword in the Stone Myth & Facts | King Arthur's Excalibur. Mardi Gras Overview, Carnivals & Facts | What is Fat Tuesday? Exorcism Origin & History | What are Exorcisms? From Ma Rainey: The Life and Music of The Mother of the Blues byJas Obrecht. Great Mosque of Cordoba: History & Design | What is the Mezquita? Ebisu Overview & Mythology | Who is the Japanese God Ebisu? Khmer Empire, Language & Facts | Who are the Khmer People of Cambodia? In 1939, the blues singer breathed her last owing to a heart attack in Rome, Georgia. Shema Overview, Significance & Uses | What is the Shema Prayer? Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. Confucianism in Japan | History, Importance & Philosophy, Ezra & Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible | History, Timeline & Division. Haoma Overview, Significance & Facts | What is the Haoma Plant? Dussehra: Hindu Holiday Importance & History | What is Vijayadashami? The couple were hard-working, charming, and popular, managing to make a career out of Gertrudes soulful and often funny singing style for more than thirty years. Pentecostal Church History & Beliefs | What is Pentecostalism? She had [the audience] in the palm of her hand. Marquess Overview, Title & Facts | What is a Marquis? South African Townships | Overview, History & Locations. Speaking in Tongues Overview, History & Facts | What is Glossolalia? Ma Rainey's cause of death was heart disease at 53, in 1939. [1][12] A member of the First African Baptist Church, she began performing in black minstrel shows. Brown said of her, Ma Rainey was a tremendous figure. Ma was always unapologetically herself. Budai Origin & History | Who was the Hotei Buddha? Grand-Place: History, Buildings & Location | What is the Grand-Place? In her song titled Prove It on Me, Ma sings, Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. Pillars in Architecture: Overview & Function | What is a Pillar? It is in the very house that she had built for her mother and later lived in from 1935 until her death in 1939. Freemason History, Stages & Symbols | What is a Freemasonry? Philosopher's Stone History & Facts | What is the Philosopher's Stone? At the age of 18, she married William "Pa" Rainey, which is when she adopted the name "Ma." And, later the couple went on to adopt a son named Danny. They often spent their winters in New Orleans, and there she met such musicians as Joe King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Pops Foster. [41] In her songs, she and other black women sleep around for revenge, drink and party all night and generally live lives that "transgressed these ideas of white middle class female respectability". Emerging Adulthood: Overview & Analysis | The Ages of Young Adulthood. Zagreus in Greek Mythology: Identities & Roles | Who is Zagreus? Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata | History, Description & Style, Shore Temple of Mamallapuram | Overview, History & Facts, Black Stone of Mecca | History, Description & Location. But Ma Rainey didnt care, because she pulled in the crowds. Curry: Origin, Types & Ingredients | What is in a Curry? Idolatry Forms & Examples | What is Idolatry? Church of Sweden: Overview & History | What is the Church of Sweden? An inspiring tribute to the artist herself, Ma Rainey: Mother of the Blues takes a deeper look at the real Ma Rainey an incredible musician and pioneer, way ahead of her time, who. Irredentism Overview, Purpose & Examples | What is Irredentism? Secondary Education Grades & Examples | What is Secondary School? Kwanzaa History, Traditions & Principles | Kwanzaa Overview. In the decades since her death, Rainey has loomed large as a titanic figure in the history of blues. Aswan High Dam in Egypt | History, Facts & Purpose, At, Goddess of Mischief | Mythology, Facts & Symbols, Athena vs. Ares | Mythology, Symbols & Battle. Yanomami History, Tribe & Facts | Who are the Yanomamo? [1] [54], This sortable table presents all 94 titles recorded by Rainey.[55]. Samsara in Hinduism: History & Beliefs | What is Samsara? Along the way, Rainey's boisterous reputation preceded her. Samoans History, Culture & Facts | Who are the Samoan People? Citizen Kane Plot, Analysis & Context | What is Citizen Kane? Church of Alexandria: Overview & History | What is the Church of Alexandria? Book of Tobit Summary & Significance | What is the Book of Tobit? Between 1923 and 1928 she recorded more than 100 songs for Paramount. In fact, growing up at the peak of Jim Crow in the South, Rainey and her fellow performers all faced oppression and racism just as any other person of color would. 1 (1923-1924) Album Reviews, Songs & More", Ma Rainey Blues Festival official website, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ma_Rainey&oldid=1137862067, Misprint for "'Fore Day"; another take on JSP & DOCD. Dry Farming Process, Crops & Facts | What is Dryland Farming? Kumbh Mela Pilgrimage & Festival | What is Kumbh Mela? Polaroid History & Products | When were Polaroids Invented? In fact, over the next 5 years, she would go on to record more than 100 songs, which only highlights her innate professionalism. [28], According to the website queerculturalcenter.org, the lyrics refer to an incident in 1925 in which Rainey was "arrested for taking part in an orgy at [her] home involving women in her chorus". Palestine History, People & Religion | Where is Palestine Located? Septuagint Overview, History & Facts | What is the Septuagint? Adobe Bricks Material, Use & Overview | What is Adobe Clay? De Stijl Movement: Artworks & Architecture | What is De Stijl Art? Soren Kierkegaard Life, Philosophy & Books | Who was Kierkegaard? Ahl al-Bayt: Overview, History & Imams | Who are the Ahl al-Bayt? Rosh Hashanah Overview & Traditions | What is Rosh Hashanah? Jinn Overview, Mythology & Names | What are Jinn? Hapi Origin & Mythology | Who was the Egyptian God of the Nile? Dia de la Raza Overview & History | What is the Day of the Races? Naiads in Greek Mythology Types & Examples | What is a Naiad? Epona, Goddess of Horses | Origin, Mythology & Role, Tsukuyomi, Japanese God of the Moon | Origin, Role & Mythology. Gaslighting Origin, Examples & Facts | What is Gaslighting? Cognitive Development in Infants | Overview & Theories. Kosovo Population, People & Language | Where is Kosovo? Ma Rainey quickly took Smith under her wing. Wu Chinese Overview, Dialects & Characters | What is Wu? Percival Origin, Legend & Overview | Who is Percival? They toured with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels and later formed their own group, Rainey and Rainey, Assassinators of the Blues. Armenia History, People & Map | Where is Armenia Located? San People: History, Tribe & Facts | Who are the San People? In 1923, Rainey recorded for the first time with Paramount at the prodding of Mayo ''Ink'' Williams. This content is imported from youTube. The Book of Psalms: Origin, Summary & Analysis | What is a Psalm? Danny Kay Rainey, Jr. born February 2, 1970 in Owensboro, Kentucky passed away on January 6, 2009 in Colorado Springs, CO. Amalek Overview & Facts | Who are the Amalekites in the Bible? .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Georgia in 1886, the second of five children, Rainey got her start singing professionally as a teenager, performing for the first time in Columbus in 1900 before she began traveling the rural Souths tent-show circuit with vaudeville groups. Hangul Alphabet & Language | What is the Korean Alphabet? United Nations Resolution 181 | Impact of the UN Partition of Palestine. The Rapture Belief: Overview & History | What is the Rapture? Islamic Clothing: Overview & Practices | Muslim Men & Women's Clothing. Erving Goffman Theory & Works | Who was Erving Goffman? Gender Disparities in Healthcare | Biases & Sexism in Healthcare. Australasia History, Facts & Map | Where is Australasia? Fatah Overview, History & Ideology | Palestinian National Liberation Movement. Jehovah Overview, Beliefs & Facts | Who is Yahweh in the Bible? Salah Prayer History & Practice | What is Salah in Islam? Christian Mysticism Origins & Beliefs | What is Christian Mysticism? RICO: Overview, Cases & Charges | What is the RICO Act? March 8, 2021 at 8:05 p.m. "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm", "Promising Young Woman" ("Hermosa venganza") y "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" ("La madre del blues") estn entre las . It was more raw and direct than the blues we now know. Chinese Tongs History & Purpose | What is a Tong? Paramount later canceled her contract. Loa Spirits, Theology & Ritual | What are Lwa? However, the 1900 census stipulates that her date of birth could be somewhere in September of 1882 (in Alabama) instead. [31], Throughout the 1920s, Ma Rainey had a reputation for being one of the most dynamic performers in the United States due in large part to her songwriting, showmanship and voice. [52], Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, a 1982 play by August Wilson, is a fictionalized account of a recording of her song of the same title set in 1927. Mara the Demon: Facts & Myths | Who is Mara in Buddhism? Bollywood: Hindi Cinema History & Facts | What is Bollywood? Her band included jazz stars Louis Armstrong, Thomas Dorsey and Coleman Hawkins. Karen Languages | Facts, Classifications & Alphabets. Druze Religion: History & Beliefs | What is the Druze Religion? Church of Christ Overview & Beliefs | What is the Church of Christ? Saint Nicholas Day History & Traditions | The Feast of Saint Nicholas. At the age of eighteen, she married William Pa Rainey, who went on to become her manager and mentor. Labor Theory of Value | Origin, History & Examples. Tithonus in Greek Mythology | Origin, Myth & Immortality. Ma Rainey , or Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett, was an influential Blues singer of the early twentieth century, and she was born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1886. She later claimed that she was first exposed to blues music around 1902. Separated from her husband in 1916 ". The singer was the second of five children who started performing at Black minstrel shows in her teenage years. Failed State Overview & Characteristics | What are Failed States?