Ma Rainey

 Blues Singer. The "Mother of the Blues" first appeared on stage in 1900. In 1902 she married song and dance man William Pa Rainey. She was then known as Ma even though the marriage did not last. Her band included jazz stars Louis Armstrong, Thomas Dorsey and Coleman Hawkins. Between 1923 and 1928 she recorded more than 100 songs for Paramount. She helped mentor the career of Bessie Smith. She played in Macon Georgia at The Douglas theater and surrounding area. With songs like See See Rider and Ma Rainey Black Bottom Blues . The Great Depression ended her career as her fan base lost their ability to buy her records. She retired back to Columbus and died of a heart attack. She was posthumously inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. you can listen to her music on many streaming service. her movie is on Netflix called Ma Rainey Black Bottom. She is laid to rest in Porterdale Cemetery in Columbus Georgia.