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Each stage of Blues history had its well-known female artists.
Some of them did a lot of songs that were double entendre others just sang some really good blues.
Bessie Smith, Etta James, Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Susann Tedeschi, and Shemeka Copeland are some of the female blues artists we will discuss in this post.
There are way too many to mention but I will talk about my favorites.
Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, and Ma Rainey were some of the early female blues singers.
Memphis Minnie was a blockbuster talent, and we still hear her music today.
I hear her often on Sirius/XM radio.
Bessie Smith is often referred to as the “Empress of the Blues.”
She was a highly influential blues singer in the 1920s and 30s.
She is known for her powerful and emotive voice.
Ma Rainey is known as “The mother of the Blues.”
She was a pioneering blues singer and one of the earliest recorded female blues artists.
She had a significant impact on the development of the genre.
Billie Holiday was mostly known as a jazz singer but also sang some blues.
Etta James and Koko Taylor were famous blues singers in some of the later years.
Etta James was a versatile singer who excelled in various genres, including blues, R&B, and gospel.
Her rendition of “At Last” is one of her most famous, blues-inflected songs and is often played at weddings.
I saw Etta James once at the St. Louis Blues Festival.
This was toward the end of her career, but she still put on a great show.
She is my favorite female blues artist from this period.
Koko Taylor is known as the “Queen of the Blues.”
She was a powerhouse blues vocalist.
She was known for her gritty and soulful singing style and won several Blues Music Awards during her career.
Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Shemeka Copeland, and are some of the present-day famous female blues singers.
Bonnie Raitt is a renowned blues guitarist and singer-songwriter
. She has won multiple Grammy Awards and is known for her slide guitar playing soulful vocals.
Susan Tedeschi is a contemporary blues-rock artist known for her powerful voice and guitar skills.
She has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards.
Shemeka Copeland is a contemporary blues singer known for her socially conscious lyrics and dynamic vocal delivery.
She has received several Blues Music Awards.
She has a daily blues program on Sirius/XM radio.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many talented female blues artists who have made significant contributions to the genre.
Blues music has a rich history, and these women have played vital roles in shaping its evolution and popularity.