Ma Rainey
Other Names: The Mother of the Blues, Mama Can Can, Lila Patterson, Anne Smith, Madame Rainey, Black Nightingale, The Golden Necklace of the Blues, The Paramount Wildcat, Assassinators of the Blues, Songbird of the Blues
Birth Name: Gertrude Pridgett - (Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett Rainey [New Georgia Encyclopedia, Wikipedia...] - Sheldon Harris mentioned in Blues Who's Who that Malissa Nix was Gertrude's sister ???]
Member of: Rainey and Rainey, Assassinators of the Blues
* (Sept. 1882 [1900 Census, given by her mother - see interessting discussion on Wikipedia]) or April 26, 1886 [1910 Census, given by her sister] Columbus (Muscogee Co), Georgia
1898 [The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz] or 1900 ? - worked as singer, dancer in talent show "A Bunch of Blackberries", Springer Opera House
1902 - reportedly was singing blues
1904 - married William "Pa" Rainey and toured with him as singer, dancer working tent shows, levee camps, cabarets through South
from teens to 20s - frequently toured circuits working theater dates through South and Midwest - frequently toured with Florida Cotton Blossoms Show, Donald Mac Gregor's Carnival Show, The Smart Set Show, CW Parks Minstrels, Tolliver's Circus, Musical Extravaganza Show
1912 - worked with Pa Rainey and Bessie Smith in Moses Stokes Show at Ivory Theater, Chattanooga TN
c1915 - toured with Bessie Smith in Fat Chappelle's Rabbit Foot Minstrels [Blues Who's Who] (or F.S. Wolcott's Rabbit Foot Minstrels [Grove, New Georgia Encyclopedia]?) tent show through South
c1917 - worked with Silas Green from New Orleans minstrel show at Ella B Moore Theater, Dallas TX
1917 - toured with own Madame Gertrude Rainey and Her Georga Smart Sets working theater dates through South
early 20s - retired to Mexico
1923/24 - recorded with Lovie Austin Blues Serenaders for Paramount, Chicago IL
1924-27 - recorded with own Georgia Band for Paramount, New York City and Chicago IL
1924-35 - toured with own Georgia (Wild Cats) Jazz Band working theater dates on TOBA vaudeville circuit through Midwest and South
1924 - worked at Grand Theater, Chicago IL - Lincoln Theater, New York City - Temple Theater, Cleveland OH - Bijou Theater, Nashville TN - Lincoln Theater, Pittsburgh PA
1925 - worked at Frolic Theater, Birmingham AL
1926 - worked at Lincoln Theater, New York City
1927 - toured with own Louisiana Blackbirds Revue working dates through South - Sept. 8, Ma Rainey Company (39 people) worked at Royal Theatre, Columbia, SC - Sept. 9/10, at Lenox Theatre, Augusta, GA - Sept. Douglass Theatre, Macon GA (see document)
1928 - recorded with Tub Jug Washboard Band, Tom Dorsey, Papa Charlie Jackson... for Paramount, Chicago IL - March 5-7 - Ma Rainey and Her Paramount Flappers worked at 81 Theater, Atlanta GA (see document) - March 12-14 "Ma" Rainey Company worked at Douglass Theatre, Macon GA (see document)
1930 - toured Boisey De Legge and His Bandanna Girls in "Bandanna Babies" Revue working Theaters through Arkansas - toured with own Arkansas Swift Foot Revue working theaters throuh South
1933-35 - toured with Al Gaines Carnival Show working under canvas through Southwest
from 1935 - retired from music to live with her brother Thomas Pridgett Jr., a decon, 805 5th Ave, Columbus GA [now museum - Ma Rainey House] and Rome GA
through 30s - active in Friendship Baptist Church - owned and operated The Lyric Theater and Airdome Theater, near Rome or Columbus ? GA
† Dec. 22, 1939 suffered heart attack and died in City Hospital, Columbus GA [Blues Who's Who, Wikipedia] or Rome GA [Grove, Encyclopedia Britannica, The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz] ???
buried in family grave, Porterdale Cemetery, Columbus GA
Influenced: Bessie Smith, Jean Kittrell, Carol Leigh, Big Mama Thornton, Dinah Washington, Tampa Red, Janis Joplin
Sources:
Wikipedia
Blues Who's Who
The New Georgia Encyclopedia
Dixon, Robert M.W.: Blues & Gospel Records 1890-1943
Songs (with date of recording):
1-Oh Papa Blues 2-Black Eye Blues [Take 1] 3-Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 4-Booze And Blues 5-Blues Oh Blues 6-Sleep Talking Blues [Take 1] 7-Lucky Rock Blues 8-Georgia Cake Walk 9-Don't Fish In My Sea 10-Stack O' Lee Blues 11-Shave em Dry Blues
Army Camp Harmony Blues (Ma Rainey, Hooks Tilford)
1925.05.18/19? - Chicago IL - 2136-1,-2 Paramount 12284 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Hooks Tilford (as) poss. Lil Henderson (p) poss. Happy Bolton (d) unknown (kazoo,slide whistle)
Bad Luck Blues (Lovie Austin)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1596-2 Paramount 12082 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and Her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Barrel House Blues (Lovie Austin)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1598-2 Paramount 12081 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Bessemer Bound Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2373-1,-2 Paramount 12374 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Big Boy Blues (Ma Rainey)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4682-2 Paramount 12548 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley -Clay (c), Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb))
Big Feeling Blues (Ma Rainey, Davis)
1928.12.00? - Chicago IL - 21044-1 Paramount 12718 - Ma Rainey (v), Papa Charlie Jackson (v,bj)
Black Cat Hoot Owl Blues (Ma Rainey, Thomas A. Dorsey)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20661-1 Paramount 12687 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,wbd,tub d), Carl Reid (jazzhorn)
Black Dust Blues (Davis, Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20886-2 Paramount 12926 - Ma Rainey (v), poss. Eddie Miller (p)
Black Eye Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1928.00.00? - Chicago IL - 20898-1 Paramount unissued, 20898-2 Paramount 12963 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Blame It On The Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey, Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20881-1 Paramount 12760 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Blues Oh Blues (Ma Rainey)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4683-2 Paramount 12566 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley Clay (c), Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb))
Blues the World Forgot Part 1,2
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20228-3, 20230-2 Paramount 12647 - Ma Rainey (v),
Her Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d,male talking))
Booze And Blues (Jay Guy Suddoth)
1924.10.15? - New York City - 1922-2 Paramount 12242 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Howard Scott (c), Charlie Green (tb), Don Redman (cl), Fletcher Henderson (p), Charlie Dixon (bj), unknown (perc)) -
Bo-Weevil (Bo-Weavil) Blues (Ma Rainey)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1597-1 Paramount unissued, 1597-2 Paramount 12080 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Broken Hearted Blues (Ma Rainey)
1926.03.00? - Chicago IL - 2448-1,-2 Paramount 12364 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Bernie Young or Dave C. Nelson (c), poss. Albert Wynn (tb),poss. Stump Johnson or Barney Bigard (ss,as) prob. Lil Henderson (p) unknown (bj))
Broken Soul Blues (Tiny Parham)
1926.06.00? - Chicago IL - 2629-2 Paramount 12384 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Homer Hobson (c) Albert Wynn (tb) Tom Brown (cl,as) Doc Cheatham (ss) Lil Henderson (p) Rip Bassett (bj) Ben Thigpen (d) unknown (musical saw))
Cell Bound Blues (Ma Rainey)
1924.11.00? - Chicago IL -10001-2 Paramount 12257 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Chain Gang Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey, Palmer)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2372-2 Paramount 12338 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Countin' The Blues (Ma Rainey)
1924.10.16? - NYC - 1927-2,-3 Paramount 12238 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Louis Armstrong (c), Charlie Green (tb), Buster Bailey (cl), Fletcher Henderson (p), Charlie Dixon (bj), unknown (perc))
Daddy Goodbye Blues (Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20878-1 Paramount 12963 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Damper Down Blues
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4690-3 Paramount 12548 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley Clay (c), Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb))
Dead Drunk Blues (Ma Rainey)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4708-1 Paramount 12508 - Ma Rainey (v), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p)
Deep Moaning Blues (Ma Rainey)
1928.06.12 - - Chicago IL - 20668-1,-2 Paramount 12706 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,tub d), Carl Reid (jazzhorn,jug), members of the band moaning
Don't Fish In My Sea (Ma Rainey, Smith)
1926.12.00? - Chicago IL - 4021-2 Paramount 12438 - Ma Rainey (v), James Blythe (p)
Down In the Basement (Tiny Parham)
1926.06.00? - Chicago IL - 2627-1 Paramount 12395 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Homer Hobson (c) Albert Wynn (tb) Tom Brown (cl,as) Doc Cheatham (ss) Lil Henderson (p) Rip Bassett (bj) Ben Thigpen (d) unknown (musical saw))
Dream Blues (Ma Rainey)
1924.03.00? - Chicago IL - 1699-1 Paramount 12098 - Ma Rainey (v), The Pruitt Twins (Miles Pruitt (bj), Milas Pruitt (g))
Explaining the Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1925.05.18/19? - Chicago IL - 2137-1,-2 Paramount 12284 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Hooks Tilford (as) poss. Lil Henderson (p) poss. Happy Bolton (d) unknown (kazoo,slide whistle)
Farewell Daddy Blues (Ma Rainey)
1924.08.00? - Chicago IL - 1825-2 Paramount 12222 - Ma Rainey (v), possibly Miles Pruitt (g)
Four Day Honory Scat (Ma Rainey, McOwens)
1925.08.00? - Chicago IL - 2213-1,-2 Paramount 12303 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Kid Henderson (c), prob. Lucien Brown (as), prob. Lil Henderson (p), prob. George Williams (bj), prob. Happy Bolton (d,chimes))
Georgia Cake Walk (K. Mills)
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20232-1 Paramount 12590 - Ma Rainey (v),
Her Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d,male talking))
Gone Daddy Blues (Ma Rainey)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4691-2 Paramount 12526 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley Clay (c), Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb, male sp))
Goodbye Daddy Blues (Ma Rainey)
1925.05.18/19? - Chicago IL - 2139-1 Paramount 12290 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Hooks Tilford (as) poss. Lil Henderson (p) poss. Happy Bolton (d) unknown (kazoo,slide whistle)
Grievin' Hearted Blues (?)
1926.12.00? - Chicago IL - 4020,-1-2 Paramount 12419 - Ma Rainey (v), poss. Leroy Pickett (vn), Blind Blake (g)
Hear Me Talking To You (Ma Rainey)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20663-2 Paramount 12668 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,tub d), Carl Reid (jazzhorn,jug)
Hellish Rag (?)
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20231-2 Paramount 12612 - Ma Rainey's Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d), unknown male (v), Prof. C.M. Russell (dir))
Honey Where You Been So Long? (Tom Delaney)
1924.03.00? - Chicago IL - 1701-2 Paramount 12200 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin's Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Hustlin' Blues (Nix, Thomas A. Dorsey)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20664-2 Paramount 12804 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo), Carl Reid (jazzhorn,jug)
Ice Bag Papa (K. Mills)
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20235-3 Paramount 12612 - Ma Rainey's Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d), unknown male (v), Prof. C.M. Russell (dir))
Jealous Hearted Blues (Lovie Austin)
1924.10.00? - NYC - 1924-1,-2 Paramount 12252 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Howard Scott (c), Charlie Green (tb), Don Redman (cl), Fletcher Henderson (p), Charlie Dixon (bj))
Jealousy Blues (Glasco)
1926.03.00? - Chicago IL - 2451-3,-4 Paramount 12364 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Bernie Young or Dave C. Nelson (c), poss. Albert Wynn (tb),poss. Stump Johnson or Barney Bigard (ss,as) prob. Lil Henderson (p) unknown (bj))
Jelly Bean Blues (Ma Rainey, Lena Arant)
1924.10.16? - NYC - 1926-2 Paramount 12238 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Louis Armstrong (c), Charlie Green (tb), Buster Bailey (cl), Fletcher Henderson (p), Charlie Dixon (bj))
Last Minute Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1609-2 Paramount 12080 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Lawd Send Me A Man Blues (Ma Rainey)
1924.05.00? - Chicago IL - 1758-2 Paramount 12227 - Ma Rainey (v) Her Georgia Jazz Band (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Leaving This Morning (Davis, Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20897-1 Paramount 12902 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Levee Camp Moan (Bert Houze)
1925.08.00? - Chicago IL - 2212-2 Paramount 12295 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Kid Henderson (c), prob. Lucien Brown (cl), prob. Lil Henderson (p), prob. George Williams (bj), prob. Happy Bolton (d,chimes))
Little Low Mama Blues (Ma Rainey)
1926.12.00? - Chicago IL - 4019-2 Paramount 12419 - Ma Rainey (v), poss. Leroy Pickett (vn), Blind Blake (g)
Log Camp Blues (Ma Rainey, Thomas A. Dorsey)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20661-1 Paramount 12687 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,wbd,tub d), Carl Reid (jug)
Lost Wandering Blues
1924.03.00? - Chicago IL - 1698-2 Paramount 12098 - Ma Rainey (v), The Pruit Twins
(Miles Pruitt (bj), Milas Pruitt (g))
Louisiana Hoo Doo Blues (Ma Rainey)
1925.05.18/19? - Chicago IL - 2138-1 Paramount 12290 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Hooks Tilford (as) poss. Lil Henderson (p) poss. Happy Bolton (d) unknown (kazoo,slide whistle)
Lucky Rock Blues (Leslie Taylor, Kattie Winters)
1924.03.00? - Chicago IL - 1704-2 Paramount 12215 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin's Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Ma And Pa Poorhouse Blues (Ma Rainey, Davis)
1928.10.00? - Chicago IL - 20921-4 Paramount 12718 - Ma Rainey (v), Papa Charlie Jackson (v,bj)
"Ma" Rainey's Black Bottom (Ma Rainey)
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20229-3 Paramount 12590 - Ma Rainey (v),
Her Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d))
Ma Rainey's Mystery Record (Ma Rainey)
1924.05.00? -
Chicago IL - 1759-2 Paramount 12200 - Ma Rainey (v) With Lovie Austin's Serenaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Memphis Bound Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1925.08.00? - Chicago IL - 2214-2 Paramount 12311 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Kid Henderson (c), prob. Lucien Brown (as), prob. Lil Henderson (p), prob. George Williams (bj), prob. Happy Bolton (d,chimes))
Misery Blues (Ma Rainey)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4707-1 Paramount 12508 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley Clay (c), prob. Al Wynn or Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb)
Moonshine Blues (Ma Rainey)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1608-2 Paramount 12083 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20234-2 Paramount 12603 - Ma Rainey (v),
Her Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d))
Morning Hour Blues (Ma Rainey, Smith)
1926.11.00? - Chicago IL - 405- Paramount 12455 - Ma Rainey (v), prob Jimmy Blythe (p), Blind Blake (g)
Morning Hours Blues --> Morning Hour Blues
Mountain Jack Blues (Sid Harris)
1926.03.00? - Chicago IL - 2466-1,-3 Paramount 12352 - Ma Rainey (v), Jimmy Blythe (p)
New Bo-Weavil Blues (Lovie Austin)
1927.12.00? - Chicago IL - 20233-1 Paramount 12603 - Ma Rainey (v),
Her Georgia Band (prob. Shirley Clay (c), prob. Albert Wynn (tb), poss. Artie Starks (cl), unknown (p,d))
Night Time Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1925.08.00? - Chicago IL - 2211-1,-2 Paramount 12303 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Kid Henderson (c), prob. Lucien Brown (as), prob. Lil Henderson (p), prob. George Williams (bj), prob. Happy Bolton (d,chimes))
Oh, My Babe Blues (Ma Rainey, Whitfield)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2374-1 Paramount 12332 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Oh, Papa Blues (Herbert, Russell)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4692-1 Paramount 12566 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley Clay (c), Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb))
Prove It On Me Blues (Ma Rainey)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20665-2 Paramount 12668 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,wbd), Carl Reid (jug)
Rough and Tumble Blues (Ma Rainey)
1925.08.00? - Chicago IL - 2210-2 Paramount 12311 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Kid Henderson (c), prob. Lucien Brown (as), prob. Lil Henderson (p), prob. George Williams (bj), prob. Happy Bolton (d,chimes))
Runaway Blues (Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20883-3 Paramount 12902 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Screech Owl Blues (Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20885-2 Paramount 12963 - Ma Rainey (v), poss. Eddie Miller (p)
Seeking Blues (Lesilie McCallister)
1926.03.00? - Chicago IL - 2452-1,-2 Paramount 12352 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Bernie Young or Dave C. Nelson (c), poss. Albert Wynn (tb),poss. Stump Johnson or Barney Bigard (ss,as) prob. Lil Henderson (p) unknown (bj))
See See Rider Blues (Ma Rainey, Lena Arant)
1924.10.16? - NYC - 1925-1,-2 Paramount 12252 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Louis Armstrong (c), Charlie Green (tb), Buster Bailey (cl), Fletcher Henderson (p), Charlie Dixon (bj))
Shave' Em Dry Blues (Ma Rainey, H. Jackson)
1924.08.00? - Chicago IL - 1824-2,-3 Paramount 12222 - Ma Rainey (v), poss. Miles Pruitt (g), unknown (2nd g)
Sissy Blues (Ma Rainey)
1926.06.00? - Chicago IL - 2628-1 Paramount 12384 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Homer Hobson (c) Albert Wynn (tb) Tom Brown (cl,as) Doc Cheatham (ss) Lil Henderson (p) Rip Bassett (bj) Ben Thigpen (d) unknown (musical saw))
Slave to the Blues (Thomas A. Dorsey)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2369-2 Paramount 12332 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Sleep Talkin' Blues (Randall, Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20879-2 Paramount 12760. 20879-1 on: Yazoo 1071, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (released 1975) - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Slow Driving Moan (Ma Rainey)
1927.08.00? - Chicago IL - 4709-1 Paramount 12526 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Shirley Clay (c), prob. Al Wynn or Kid Ory (tb), Claude "Hop" Hopkins (p), unknown (bj,bb)
Soon This Morning (Ma Rainey, Smith)
1926.11.00? - Chicago IL - 408-2 Paramount 12438 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Boys (prob. B.T. Wingfield (c) poss. Johnny Dodds (cl) prob. Jimmy Blythe or Tiny Parham (p))
South Bound Blues (Tom Delaney)
1924.04.00?
- Chicago IL - 1741-1 Paramount 12227 - Ma Rainey (v) Her Georgia Jazz Band (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Southern Blues (Ma Rainey)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1612-2 Paramount 12083 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Stack O' Lee Blues (Jasper Taylor, Williams)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2376-2 Paramount 12357 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Stormy Sea Blues (Ma Rainey, Thomas A. Dorsey)
1925.08.00? - Chicago IL - 2209-1,-2 Paramount 12295 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (prob. Kid Henderson (c), prob. Lucien Brown (cl), prob. Lil Henderson (p), prob. George Williams (bj), prob. Happy Bolton (d,chimes))
Sweet Rough Man (Randall, Ma Rainey)
1928.09.00? - Chicago IL - 20882-2 Paramount 12926 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Those All Night Long Blues (Jay Guy Suddoth)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1599-1,-2 Paramount 12081 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Those Dogs Of Mine (Famous Cornfield Blues) (Ma Rainey)
1924.03.00? - Chicago IL - 1703-1 Paramount 12215 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin's Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Titanic Man Blues (Ma Rainey, Williams)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2371-1,-2 Paramount 12374 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Toad Frog Blues (Jay Guy Suddoth)
1924.10.00? - NYC - 1923-2- Paramount 12242 - Ma Rainey (v) And Her Georgia Jazz Band (Howard Scott (c), Charlie Green (tb), Don Redman (cl), Fletcher Henderson (p), Charlie Dixon (bj), unknown (perc))
Tough Luck Blues (Ma Rainey)
1928.00.00? - Chicago IL - 20880-2 Paramount 12735 - Ma Rainey (v), Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Tampa Red (g)
Traveling Blues (?)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20667-1,-2 Paramount 12706 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,wbd,tub d), Carl Reid (jazzhorn,jug)
Trust No Man (Lil Henderson)
1926.06.00? - Chicago IL - 2631-1 Paramount 12395 - Ma Rainey (v), Lillian Hensderson (p)
Victim Of the Blues (Ma Rainey, Thomas A. Dorsey)
1928.06.12 -- Chicago IL - 20666-1 Paramount 12687 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Tub Jug Washboard Band (Georgia Tom Dorsey (p), Martell Pettiford (bj), Herman Brown (kazoo,wbd), Carl Reid (jazzhorn,jug)
Walking Blues (Ma Rainey, Lovie Austin)
1923.12.00 -- Chicago IL - 1613-2 Paramount 12082 - Ma Rainey With Lovie Austin and her Blues Sernaders (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Lovie Austin (p))
Weepin' Woman Blues (Ma Rainey, Smith)
1926.11.00? - Chicago IL - 407-2 Paramount 12455 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Boys (prob. B.T. Wingfield (c) poss. Johnny Dodds (cl) prob. Jimmy Blythe or Tiny Parham (p))
Weepin' Women Blues --> see: Weepin' Woman Blues
Wringing and Twisting Blues (P. Carter)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2375-2 Paramount 12338 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))
Ya-Da-Do (Lovie Austin)
1924.03.00? - Chicago IL - 1702-2,-3 Paramount 12257 - Ma Rainey (v),
Her Georgia Jazz Band (Tommy Ladnier (c), Jimmy O'Bryant (cl), Arville Harris (as), Lovie Austin (p))
Yonder Comes the Blues (Ma Rainey)
1925.12.00? - NYC - 2370-1,-2 Paramount 12357 - Ma Rainey (v) and Her Georgia Band (Joe Smith (c) Charlie Green (tb) Buster Bailey (cl) Coleman Hawkins (bsx) Fletcher Henderson (p) Charlie Dixon (bj))