| Artist | Era | Impact on Blues | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ma Rainey | 1910s–1920s (Early Classic Blues) | Widely recognized as the “Mother of the Blues” for pioneering the classic blues vocal style and influencing generations of blues artists. She bridged vaudeville and traditional blues, defining early blues performance art. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Rainey |
| Mamie Smith | 1920s (Classic Blues) Early Blues Pioneers (born before 1910) | A trailblazer as the first African American artist to record a blues song, Crazy Blues, 1920), paving the way for generations of blues musicians. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamie_Smith |
| Bessie Smith | 1920s (Classic Blues)Early Blues Pioneers (born before 1910) | Dubbed the “Empress of the Blues,” her powerful voice and stage presence elevated blues to mainstream audiences and left a lasting impact on jazz and popular music. A celebrated Empress of the Blues, her powerful voice and emotional delivery shaped the blues genre substantially. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Smith |
| Clara Smith | 1920s (Classic Blues) Early Blues Pioneers (born before 1910) | Known for her dynamic vocal style and spirited recordings, she contributed significantly to shaping the classic blues sound during its formative years. Known for her recording collaborations with Bessie Smith and her vibrant interpretations of blues standards. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Smith |
| Lucille Hegamin | 1920s (Classic Blues/Variety) Early Blues Pioneers (born before 1910) | An early recording artist who bridged blues and jazz with a vaudevillian flair, she helped set the stage for future female vocalists in the genre. One of the first blues singers to record, she helped popularize blues in the 1920s. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Hegamin |
| Lizzie Miles | 1920s Classic Blues/Jazz | A pioneering African-American singer who blended blues with jazz influences, helping to lay the groundwork for the evolution of both genres. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Miles |
| Ida Cox | 1920s Classic Blues | Esteemed for her rich vocal delivery and songwriting, key in popularizing the expressive depth and narrative quality of blues music. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Cox |
| Ora Alexander | 1930s (Electric/Urban Blues) | Active in the 1930s, she was part of the transition toward electric and urban blues, contributing to the evolution of the genre during a pivotal technological shift. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ora_Alexander |
| Lucille Bogan | 1920s–1930s (Classic Blues) Early Blues Pioneers (born before 1910) | Renowned for her powerful vocals and boldly expressive, sometimes risqué lyrics, which pushed the boundaries of blues storytelling.Renowned for her raw, candid lyrics, she was among the first to address taboo topics in blues songs. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Bogan |
| Sippie Wallace| | 1920s (Classic Blues) Early Blues Pioneers (born before 1910) | Celebrated for her soulful expression and deep emotional delivery, she helped define the vocal aesthetics of early blues recordings. Dubbed “The Texas Nightingale,” she combined gospel influences with blues and worked with legends like Louis Armstrong. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sippie_Wallace |
| Madilyn Davis | 1920s (Classic Blues) 1920s Early Blues/Jug Band | Madlyn Davis was an American classic female blues singer, active as a recording artist in the late 1920s. Among her best-known tracks are “Kokola Blues” and “It’s Red Hot”. She was a contemporary of better-known recording artists, such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Clara Smith, Mozelle Alderson, Victoria Spivey, Sippie Wallace, and Bertha “Chippie” Hill. Little is known of her life outside music. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madlyn_Davis |
| Irene Scruggs | Early 1900s (Early Blues/Jug Band) | rene Scruggs (born Irene Smith, December 7, 1901 – July 20, 1981) [2] was an American Piedmont blues and country blues singer, who was also billed as Chocolate Brown and Dixie Nolan. Known for her work in jug bands and early blues recordings, she helped pioneer a style that combined traditional blues with the lively energy of vaudeville performances. I | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Scruggs |
| Monette Moore | 1920s–1930s Classic Blues | Spread blues through engaging regional recordings, adding a distinctive flavor to the genre’s early development. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monette_Moore |
| Mozelle Alderson | 1920s–1930s Classic Blues | Mozelle Alderson was an American classic female blues singer. She recorded a small number of tracks for Black Patti Records in 1927 and for Brunswick Records In 1930. Her most regular pianist was Judson Brown. She was a one-time vocalist for the Famous Hokum Boys in 1930 and toured and record. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozelle_Alderson |
| Bertha Hill | 1920s–1930s (Blues/Boogie-Woogie) | Known for her energetic performances and contributions to the boogie-woogie style, she added a unique rhythmic drive to the blues tradition. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertha_Hill |
| Bessie Tucker | 1920s (Classic Blues) | Known in her region for recordings that enriched the classic blues repertoire, she exemplified the soulful storytelling of the era. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Tucker |
| Mildred Bailey | 1930s Jazz-Blues | Mildred Bailey (born Mildred Rinker; February 27, 1907 – December 12, 1951) was a Native American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as “The Queen of Swing”, “The Rockin’ Chair Lady”, and “Mrs. Swing”. She had three records that reached number one on the popular charts. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildred_Bailey |
| Gladys Bentley | 1920s–1930s (Classic Blues) | Gladys Alberta Bentley (August 12, 1907 – January 18, 1960)[1] was an American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance. An influential performer in early blues recordings, she was known for her distinctive vocal style and interpretive ability that captured the era’s spirit. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_Bentley |
| Blue Lu Barker | 1930s (Swing/Blues) | Mabel Bernice Scott (April 30, 1915 – July 20, 2000)[1] was an American gospel music and R&B vocalist. She lived in New York and Cleveland before arriving on the West Coast blues scene in 1942. Mabel is probably remembered more for her 1948 hits “Elevator Boogie” and “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” than for her 1949–1951 marriage to the featured piano player of “Elevator Boogie”, Charles Brown of Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers.[2] Recognized for fusing blues with swing elements, she broadened the appeal of blues music by integrating energetic instrumentation and innovative vocal styling. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lu_Barker |
| Mabel Scott | 1940s–1950s (Jump Blues) | Her high-energy performances and recordings contributed to the fusion of blues with early rhythm & blues and gospel sounds. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_Scott |
| Sister Rosetta Tharpe | Gospel-blues pioneer and electric guitar innovator; blended sacred and secular. | A foundational figure in rock and blues; influenced Elvis, Chuck Berry, and countless guitarists. Strange Things Happening Every Day, Didn’t It Rain | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Rosetta_Tharpe |
| Hadda Brooks | 1940s–1950s (Boogie Woogie/Blues) | One of the first women to gain fame as a boogie-woogie pianist and vocalist, she helped popularize a jazzy, up-tempo blues style. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadda_Brooks |
| Georgia Lee | 1940s–1960s (Jazz/Blues) | A trailblazer as the first Indigenous Australian to record a blues album (Sings the Blues Down Under, 1962), she fused jazz and blues with cultural storytelling and vocal elegance. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Lee_(singer) |
| Big Maybelle | 1950s–1960s (R&B/Blues) | Famous for her robust voice and emotional intensity, she brought gospel undertones to rhythm and blues. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Maybelle |
| Big Mama Thornton | 1950s–1970s (Electric Blues) | Her gritty vocals and original recording of “Hound Dog” showcased raw energy that would inspire the rock ‘n’ roll era. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Mama_Thornton |
| Koko Taylor | “Queen of the Blues” known for her gritty vocals and Chicago blues swagger. | A dominant force in traditional blues; her voice and presence opened doors for women in the genre. Wang Dang Doodle, I’m a Woman, Let the Good Times Roll | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koko_Taylor |
| Ruth Brown | 1940s–1960s (R&B/Blues) | Ruth Alston Brown (née Weston; January 12, 1928– November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes referred to as the “Queen of R&B”. Helped bridge blues and early rock ‘n’ roll, earning Atlantic Records the nickname “the house that Ruth built” due to her success. in the 1980s, Brown used her influence to press for musicians’ rights regarding royalties and contracts; these efforts led to the founding of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Brown |
| Nina Simone | 1950s–1970s (Blues/Jazz/Folk) | Merged classical piano with blues, jazz, and soul, and used her platform to address civil rights, making her an enduring voice of both music and conscience. Nina Simone born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was an American singer, pianist, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop. Her piano playing was strongly influenced by baroque and classical music, especially Johann Sebastian Bach, and accompanied expressive, jazz-like singing in her contralto voice. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Simone |
| Roberta Flack | 1960s–1980s (Soul/Folk/Blues) | Blended soul and folk with blues influences in her emotive performances, particularly known for her subtle vocal nuance. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_Flack |
| Etta James | 1950s–1990s (Blues/Soul/R&B) | Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer and songwriter. Starting her career in 1954, James frequently performed in Nashville’s R&B clubs, collectively known as the Chitlin’ Circuit, in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.[1] She sang in various genres, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll and soul. Blended blues with soul and gospel in a career spanning decades, delivering unforgettable ballads like “I’d Rather Go Blind.” | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James |
| Beverly Watkins | Fiery guitarist and showwoman; known for her explosive live performances. | Beverly “Guitar” Watkins[1] (April 6, 1939 – October 1, 2019) was an American blues guitarist. Sandra Pointer-Jones wrote, “Beverly Watkins is a pyrotechnic guitar maven whose searing, ballistic attacks on the guitar have become allegorical tales within the blues community.A late-career breakout who proved women could shred with the best; revered for her raw, high-octane blues.Back in Business, The Feelings of Beverly “Guitar” Watkins | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Watkins |
| Tina Turner | Electrifying performers who fused blues, soul, and rock with unmatched energy. | Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023) was a singer, songwriter, actress, and author. Dubbed the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, her vocal prowess, raspy voice, and electrifying stage presence broke the racial barrier in rock music. Broke barriers as a Black woman in rock; her resilience and stage power became legendary. Proud Mary, River Deep – Mountain High, What’s Love Got to Do with It | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Turner |
| Irma Thomas | 1960s–present (Soul/Blues) | Dubbed the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” she carried the blues torch into the modern era with deeply expressive vocals and timeless recordings. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irma_Thomas |
| Aretha Franklin | Queen of Soul with deep gospel roots; blended blues, R&B, and pop with unmatched vocal power. | First woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; a civil rights icon whose phrasing and soulfulness shaped generations. Respect, Chain of Fools, Dr. Feelgood | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin |
| Janis Joplin | Raw, emotionally charged blues-rock singer; brought a white-hot intensity to blues standards. | Her raspy voice and fearless stage presence made her a counterculture icon and blues-rock trailblazer. Piece of My Heart, Ball and Chain, Me and Bobby McGee | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janis_Joplin |
| Diana Ross | 1960s–present (Soul/Pop) | Though primarily known for Motown and pop, her early work with The Supremes drew from blues and R&B roots, influencing generations of female artists. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross |
| Kathi McDonald | Blues-rock belter with a raspy, soulful voice; sang with Big Brother & the Holding Company post-Joplin. | A powerful but underrecognized voice in blues-rock; collaborated with legends from Ike Turner to Long John Baldry. Insane Asylum, vocals on Exile on Main St. (Rolling Stones) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathi_McDonald |
| Bonnie Raitt | Slide guitar virtuoso and soulful vocalist; fused blues with folk, rock, and pop. | A Grammy-winning artist and activist who championed blues elders and inspired countless women in roots music. Nick of Time, I Can’t Make You Love Me, Love Me Like a Man | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Raitt |
| Marcia Ball | Piano powerhouse blending Texas blues, New Orleans R&B, and swamp rock. | Known for her rollicking live shows and boogie-woogie flair; a vital link between blues and Gulf Coast traditions. So Many Rivers, Peace, Love & BBQ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcia_Ball |
| Rory Block | Acoustic blues revivalist and slide guitarist; known for her deep reverence for Delta blues. | A master interpreter of Robert Johnson and other blues legends; preserved and reimagined traditional blues. Mama’s Blues, The Lady and Mr. Johnson | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Block |
| Debbie Davies | 1980s–2010s (Contemporary Blues) | A former member of Albert Collins’ Icebreakers, she became a leading female guitarist in blues, winning multiple Blues Music Awards and mentoring younger artists. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Davies |
| Chaka Khan | Funk and soul powerhouse with deep blues roots; known for her vocal agility and emotional depth. | Her voice bridges funk, R&B, and blues; a major influence on modern soul and vocalists across genres. Tell Me Something Good, I’m Every Woman, Ain’t Nobody | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Khan |
| Janiva Magness | 1990s–present (Soul/Blues) | A deeply emotive singer and songwriter, she overcame personal adversity to become a multiple Blues Music Award winner and advocate for foster youth and mental health. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janiva_Magness |
| Angie Stone | 1980s–2020s (Neo-Soul/Blues) | Though best known for neo-soul, her roots in gospel and R&B infused her music with bluesy depth, and her early work with The Sequence helped shape hip-hop and soul crossover. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angie_Stone |
| Joanna Connor | 1980s–present (Chicago Blues) | Known for her blistering slide guitar and electrifying stage presence, she became a fixture in the Chicago blues scene and helped keep traditional electric blues alive. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Connor |
| Ruthie Foster | 1990s–present (Gospel/Blues/Folk) | Blending gospel, folk, and blues, her soaring vocals and socially conscious lyrics earned her Grammy nominations and comparisons to Mavis Staples and Bonnie Raitt. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruthie_Foster |
| Sue Foley | 1990s–present (Traditional Blues) | A Canadian blues guitarist and singer, she’s a torchbearer for traditional blues with a modern edge, known for her pink Telecaster and award-winning albums like Pinky’s Blues. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Foley |
| Gwen Stefani | Though best known for ska-pop, her early work with No Doubt and solo ventures occasionally touched bluesy phrasing. | Not a traditional blues artist, but her vocal stylings and genre-blending reflect blues’ influence on pop. Don’t Speak, Cool | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwen_Stefani |
| Susan Tedeschi | 1990s–present (Blues Rock) | A powerhouse vocalist and guitarist, she brought blues to a new generation with her Grammy-nominated album *Just Won’t Burn* and later co-founded the Tedeschi Trucks Band. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Tedeschi |
| Alicia Keys | 2000s–present (Soul/R&B/Blues) | A classically trained pianist and soulful vocalist, she infused blues, jazz, and gospel into her songwriting, helping to revive interest in roots-based R&B in the 21st century. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicia_Keys |
| Erin McCallum | 2000s–present (Contemporary Blues) | A Canadian blues artist with a commanding voice and original songwriting, she’s earned international airplay and acclaim for her emotionally resonant, roots-driven albums. | http://www.erinmccallum.com/ |
| Kelly Rowland | 1990s–present (R&B/Pop) | While primarily a pop and R&B artist, her vocal stylings and early influences reflect blues and gospel traditions, especially in her solo ballads and collaborations. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Rowland |
| Mia Dyson | 2000s–present (Roots/Blues Rock) | An ARIA Award-winning guitarist and singer-songwriter, she’s known for her gritty vocals and soulful songwriting, helping define modern Australian blues with albums like Parking Lots. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Dyson |
| Danielle Nicole | 2010s–present (Soul/Blues) | Formerly of Trampled Under Foot, she’s a Grammy-nominated bassist and vocalist whose solo work blends blues, soul, and R&B with powerful storytelling and emotional depth. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Nicole |
| Dani Wilde | 2000s–present (British Blues) | A soulful singer-songwriter and guitarist, she’s toured globally and championed blues women through her writing and performances, blending roots, gospel, and Americana. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Wilde |
| Cassie Taylor | 2000s–present (Trance Blues/Fusion) | Daughter of Otis Taylor, she’s carved her own path with genre-defying albums that blend blues, electronica, and soul, while also advocating for mental health and LGBTQ+ visibility. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassie_Taylor |
| Christina Skjolberg | 2010s–present (Blues Rock) | A Norwegian guitarist and vocalist, she’s brought a fiery, Hendrix-inspired energy to European blues stages, blending funk, rock, and blues with magnetic stage presence. | https://www.christinaskjolberg.no/ |
| Jaguar Jonze | 2010s–present (Alt Rock/Blues Edge) | A genre-defying artist who fuses blues roots with indie rock and visual art, she uses her music as a platform for advocacy, trauma healing, and fierce self-expression. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_Jonze |
| Karise Eden | 2010s–present (Soul/Blues) | Winner of The Voice Australia (2012), she stunned audiences with her Janis Joplin-like rasp and emotional depth, reviving interest in blues-inflected soul balladry. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karise_Eden |
| Mia Wray | 2010s–present (Soul/Blues Pop) | Emerging from folk and soul roots, she blends bluesy vocal power with pop production, drawing comparisons to Adele and Florence Welch while maintaining a distinct Australian voice. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Wray |
| Shakura S’Aida | 2000s–present (Contemporary Blues) | A Canadian powerhouse vocalist and actress, she’s known for her genre-spanning albums and theatrical performances, bringing blues into new cultural and emotional dimensions. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakura_S%27Aida |
| Malyssa BellaRosa | 2010s–present (Indie/Blues Fusion) | A Rhode Island-based artist known for her genre-blending work with Sugar Cones and Gamma Rage, she infuses blues with punk, soul, and grunge in emotionally charged performances. | https://www.malyssabellarosa.com/ |
| Marlene Cummins | 1980s–present (Jazz/Blues) | Often called Australia’s foremost Indigenous blues woman, she blends activism with music, channeling Big Mama Thornton and Etta James in her sax-driven, soul-baring performances. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlene_Cummins |
| Wendy Colonna | 2000s–present (Folk/Blues/Soul) | A Louisiana-born, Austin-based singer-songwriter, she brings poetic lyricism and swampy soul to her blues-infused music, often featured in public arts and community projects. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Colonna |
| Alice Skye | 2010s–present (Indie/Blues Folk) | A Wergaia/Wemba Wemba singer-songwriter, she infuses blues with poetic vulnerability and Indigenous storytelling, using piano and guitar to explore identity and healing. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Skye |
| C. Kelly Wright | 2000s–present (Blues Theater/Fusion) | A multidisciplinary performer blending blues, jazz, and theater, she’s known for her powerful stage presence and contributions to blues storytelling through musicals and live shows. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Kelly_Wright |
| Grace Woodroofe | 2010s–present (Indie/Blues Fusion) | Mentored by Ben Harper and signed by Heath Ledger’s label, she brought a moody, cinematic edge to blues with her debut Always Want, blending folk, jazz, and soul. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Woodroofe |
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