Biography

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.

“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.