The Gertrude "MA" Rainey House & Blues Museum, Columbus, Georgia

Frederic Adrian, a French writer and music researcher who is currently writing a new biography of Ma Rainey, has kindly brought to our attention this important image of Rainey and her tent show ensemble. The photo, dated 1922, is housed in the archival collection at The University of Texas at Arlington. Any reuse of this image should be credited as follows: University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, Special Collections.

Via George Mitchell:

Ma Rainey was born on this date in 1886. Her brother, Thomas Pridgett, who still lived in the house she bought in Columbus, Georgia lent me this photo of her for a story this then newspaperman was doing on her for the Columbus Ledger in the late 1960's. Her first appearance on stage was at the Springer Opera House in Columbus with the "Bunch of Blackberries," a small show that was gotten up among the local talent of Columbus, Pridgett said.

The Ma Rainey House - usual hours of operation - Tues-Fri 9 am- 3 pm and Sat 10 am – 3pm. Tours are limited to 4 visitors at a time. Thank you.

OUT NOW ON VINYL - Precious Bryant, Georgia's "Daughter of the Blues" via Terminus Records!!!

Yet another newly realized photograph of Ma Rainey in 1922 - brought to our attention by our writer friend in France, Frederic Adrian.

Madam's Broadway Strutters at the John T. Wortham Shows, Breckenridge, Texas Madam's Broadway Strutters, several African-American circus performers (some in blackface and whiteface makeup), at the John T. Wortham Shows, Breckenridge, Texas. Ma Rainey is seen standing on stage, sixth from right.

Via writer/photographer George Mitchell, posted on April 26:

"Ma Rainey was born on this date in 1886. Her brother, Thomas Pridgett, who still lived in the house she bought in Columbus, Georgia lent me this photo of her for a story this then newspaperman was doing on her for the Columbus Ledger in the late 1960's. Her first appearance on stage was at the Springer Opera House in Columbus with the "Bunch of Blackberries," a small show that was gotten up among the local talent of Columbus, Pridgett said."

Today is the birthday of Gertrude "MA" Rainey. She was born here in Columbus, GA, April 26, 1886. She was the first child of Ella and Thomas Pridgett of Hatchechubbee, Alabama. During her long career, first as a traveling minstrel show entertainer and then as a prolific recording artist, Ma Rainey worked with and, in many instances, was the primary mentor for some of America's greatest musicians. Among them - Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Thomas Dorsey, Fletcher Henderson, Bessie Smith, Tampa Red, Blind Blake, Lovie Austin, and scores of others. Here's one of her greatest songs:

Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey - Black Eye Blues 1 This song was recorded in 1930 as take 1 of 2, with Take 2 being released on Paramount 112963 as the 'A' side.

Frederic Adrian, a French writer and music researcher, has kindly brought to our attention two important images of Ma Rainey and her tent show ensemble. The photos, dated 1922, are housed in the archival collection at The University of Texas at Arlington. Any reuse of these images should be credited as follows: University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, Special Collections.