Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
1886 – 1939
— "Empress of the Blues" —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
1. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey plaque
until 1925. She was the first black woman
to direct her own band and to record.
Bessie Smith was a pupil of "Ma" Rainey.
A Landmark of American Music
Erected 1983 by the National Music Council, Columbus College Bicentennial Committee and Exxon.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 32° 27.373′ N, 84° 59.699′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker can be reached from Front Avenue south of West 6th Street. Located between the railroad tracks and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk (below). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Front Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Horace King (1807 - 1887) (here, next to this marker); Thomas Greene Bethune (here, next to this marker); Frontier Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Boats (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Supply (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Columbus
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on Ma Rainey. (Submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. New Georgia Encyclopedia article on Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (1886-1939). (Submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Additional commentary.
1. "Mother of the Blues"
"Ma" Rainey often was referred to as the "Mother of the Blues" while her protege, Bessie Smith, was known as the "Empress of the Blues."
— Submitted December 7, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
2. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey plaque and stone.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 4, 2017
3. View looking south towards plaque on back left.
Public Domain, 1916
4. "Ma" Rainey (born Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 534 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
