Hebrew Language Origin & History | Who Speaks Hebrew? Chakra Origins & Symbolism | The Importance of Chakras in Healing, Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini | Statue, Construction & Analysis. Ma Rainey's Death: How Did Ma Rainey Die? - The Cinemaholic Architecture Types, Techniques & Theories | What is Architecture? In the following five years, she made over 100 recordings, including "Bo-Weevil Blues" (1923), "Moonshine Blues" (1923), "See See Rider Blues" (1925), the blues standard "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1927), and "Soon This Morning" (1927).[6]. John Bull Overview, Symbolism & Cartoons | Who is John Bull? Brownie Folklore: Origin & History | What is a Brownie? [47], The first annual Ma Rainey International Blues Festival was held in April 2016 in Columbus, Georgia, near the home that Rainey owned and lived in at the time of her death. Living Theatre: Overview, History & Founders | What is the Living Theatre? Futurism Art Movement, Painters & Paintings | What is Futurism? Ifrit Overview, Mythology & Examples | What is Ifrit? Shang Ti, God in China: History & Religion | Who is Shangdi? Doctrine of Original Sin: Origin & History | What is Original Sin? "Ma" Rainey (born Gertrude Pridgett; c. April 26, 1886 December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. God in Christianity: Attributes & Depiction | Are God & Jesus the Same? Viola Davis brings the character to life and the plot also exposes the many trials and tribulations that the black community faced in the 1920s. From her very first strut in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Viola Davis's vision of the eponymous blues singer can see nearly . Georgian Orthodox Church Origin & Beliefs | What is Orthodox Religion? Himeros, God of Sexual Desire: Mythology & Traits | Who was Himeros? But thats not all, as it was also included in the National Recording Registryby theNational Recording Preservation Boardof theLibrary of Congress. As the genre became more and more popular, so did Ma. Husband of Gertrude "Ma" Rainey Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. She also collaborated with the iconic Louis Armstrong on tracks like Moonshine Blues. In 1924, she went on a tour of theTheater Owners Booking Association(TOBA) with the Wildcats Jazz Band, which was assembled by Thomas Dorsey. Folk Religion: Overview, History & Examples | What are Folk Religions? Preschool Education Teaching, Learning & Ages | What is Preschool Education? Bloods Overview, History & Hand Signs | What are the Bloods? At the turn of the decade, her style of music was longer in demand, and consequently, this affected her career to a great extent. Hedonic Treadmill Theory & Examples | What is Hedonic Adaptation? Egyptian Scarab Beetle Symbol & Significance | What is a Scarab? [31], Unlike many blues singers of her day, Rainey wrote at least a third of the songs she sang including many of her most famous works such as "Moonshine Blues" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" which would become standards of the "classic blues" genre. Not only is she known as the ''Mother of Blues,'' but she is also the source of inspiration for August Wilson's 1988 play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which was adapted to film in 2020 starring Viola Davis. Cannibalism History & Facts | What is Cannibalism? In 1983, Rainey was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Islamism: Overview, History & Types | What is Islamism? . Although most of Rainey's songs that mention sexuality refer to love affairs with men, some of her lyrics contain references to lesbianism or bisexuality,[27] such as the 1928 song "Prove It on Me": They said I do it, ain't nobody caught me. Ma Rainey and Pa Rainey adopted a son named Danny who later joined his parents' musical act. Rainey said she learned the lyrics of the song and added it to her performances. Cartesian Circle Facts & Overview | Decartes' Circular Reasoning. . Heaven's Gate Cult | History, Leader & Members. Papal Infallibility: Overview & History | The Infallibility of the Pope. Who Was Ma Rainey's Real Band? | Den of Geek Menshen, Chinese Door Gods: History & Legend | What are Menshen? Naiads in Greek Mythology Types & Examples | What is a Naiad? Wesleyan Church History, Beliefs & Facts | What is a Wesleyan? Edda Overview, Composition & Facts | What is the Edda? Around 1900 she made her singing debut with the Bunch of Blackberries revue at the Springer Opera House. "On February 2, 1904, Pridgett married comedy songster William "Pa" Rainey. Madagascar Facts, Population & People | Where is Madagascar? Mosque of Ibn Tulun Overview & Facts | History of Ibn Tulun Mosque. [33] In 1928, she worked with Dorsey again and recorded 20 songs, before Paramount terminated her contract. In 1912, the Raineys met vaudeville dancer Bessie Smith, with whom Ma Rainey would have a lasting connection to. Mary Magdalene Overview & Role in Bible | Who is Mary Magdalene? danny rainey son of ma rainey - HAZ Rental Center New York Times photo of Ma Rainey from the 1920s. Danny Rainey (c.1907 - d.) - Genealogy - geni family tree A good businesswoman, Ma also owned two theaters in the area. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The popularity of the radio and recorded music was taking over the nation, and Blues had risen in popularity after Mamie Smith's Blues record of 1920. Brown wrote a poem entitled "Ma Rainey" in 1932 about how "When Ma Rainey/Comes to town" people everywhere would hear her sing. Fante Overview, History & Tribe | Who are the Fante People? Though she was not the first Black woman to record music (that was Mamie Smith in 1920), she recorded almost 100 songs with Paramount over the following five years, making her a household name among Black Americans. The Assumption of Mary History & Significance | What is the Assumption? Mayor History, Duties & Responsibilities | What Does a Mayor Do? Scientology History, Beliefs & Practices | What is Scientology? Soul Overview, Theories & Facts | What is the Human Soul? Canonization History & Process | How to Become a Saint. Fuxi Origin, Creation Myth & Significance | Who was Emperor Fu Hsi? Though Rainey's vocals were relatively simplistic, the energy and emotion she brought to them made her a success. Sir Edmund Hillary Life & Accomplishments | Who was Edmund Hillary? The Birds: Band Members, Songs & Influence | Who were the Birds? Rothschild Family History & Facts | Who are the Rothschilds? Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array Overview & Facts | What is the VLA? Armenia History, People & Map | Where is Armenia Located? World Athletics History & Purpose | What is the IAAF? Friedrich Hayek Economics & Philosophy | Who was Friedrich Hayek? Atharvaveda Overview & Significance | What is the Atharvaveda? Tara the Buddhist Goddess | Origin, Mythology & Forms. Lehigh Valley Railroad Overview & Facts | What was the Lehigh Valley Railroad? Emancipation Day Overview & Facts | When is Emancipation Day? [31], Academy Award winner Mo'Nique played Ma Rainey in the 2015. Feast of the Annunciation | History, Celebration & Facts, Yom HaShoah Overview & Facts | Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel. [29] All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. [53], Mo'Nique played Rainey in the 2015 television film Bessie about the life of Bessie Smith, for which she earned a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. Chinese Tongs History & Purpose | What is a Tong? 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. The June 2012 death of Darren Rainey, an inmate at the Dade Correctional Institution in South Florida, attracted national attention after other inmates claimed he was burned like "a boiled lobster" after about two hours in a shower that guards had modified to punish prisoners. Whitewater Scandal: Clinton Involvement & Ruling | What was Whitewater? Pope Joan: History & Legend | Who was the Female Pope Joan? In 1925, when Rainey was jailed in Chicago following her arrest for throwing an all-female party-turned-orgy, it was Smith who bailed her out of jail. Menorah History, Symbolism & Facts | What is a Menorah? Stimulus Discrimination in Psychology | Overview, Facts & Examples, Localization of Sound in Psychology | Overview, Binaural Cues & Structure. Doctorate Degree Types & Overview | What is a Doctoral Degree? Staff of Hermes: Purpose & Symbolism | What is the Caduceus? Tyche, Greek Goddess of Success | Origin, Mythology & Role, Nemesis, Greek Goddess of Vengeance | Origin, Mythology & Role, Hard News Overview & Examples | Hard News vs. Soft News. When whites outnumbered blacks not an uncommon occurrence, according to witnesses the overflow sat peacefully in the black section. The Sun Dance Ceremony Practices & Overview | What is the Sun Dance? Halacha Overview, Rules & History | What is Jewish Law? In fact, these areas of her life were sources of inspiration for Rainey. Projection in Psychology Overview & Examples | What is Projection? Some of us used to laugh at her, because she was so countryfied. 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. Parts of a Prison: Design & Structure | How Big is a Prison Cell? Irredentism Overview, Purpose & Examples | What is Irredentism? There werent always words: sometimes there was only a rising and falling moan in which the audience would join. Her influence stretches from musicians like Bessie Smith to Janis Joplin, to authors, including Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple. [10] She took on the stage name "Ma Rainey", which was "a play on her husband's nickname, 'Pa'". Oman History, People & Facts | Where is Oman Located? Alhambra Palace: History, Location & Design | What is the Alhambra? Painting Techniques | Types, Styles & Tips, Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency: History & Leaders | Naxalism in India. Guggenheim Museum Architecture & Facts | Who Built Bilbao's Museum? Adobe Bricks Material, Use & Overview | What is Adobe Clay? She was baptized into the First African Baptist Church. Tuareg Overview, History, & Culture | Who are the Touareg People? Mortal vs. Venial Sin: Overview & Examples | What is a Mortal Sin? Wife of William "Pa" Rainey and unknown unknown Holy Saturday: History & Traditions | The Saturday Before Easter, Protestant Denominations: List & Beliefs | Branches of Protestantism. Heka, Egyptian God of Magic & Medicine | Origin, Mythology & Facts. Rial Currency: History & Facts | What is the Iranian Rial? Her song, See See Rider was also inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame. Rosh Hashanah Overview & Traditions | What is Rosh Hashanah? Hermeticism Overview, History & Symbols | What is Hermeticism? Susanoo in Japanese Mythology Role & Origin | Who is Susanoo-no-Mikoto? Aztec Religion Beliefs, Practices & Mythology | Religion of the Aztecs. Opus Dei Beliefs, Members & Facts | What is Opus Dei? Eid al-Adha History & Celebration | What is Eid? Essentialism Overview & Applications | What is Essentialism?