9 Black Women of R&B and Blues People May Not Know

HBO recently aired a biographical film about the life of Bessie, a famed blues woman of the early 1920's. Bessie had a dynamic voice and a dynamic stage presence but many of us didn't know her name until the film aired a couple of weeks ago. Here's a list of other blues and R&B beauties worth knowing. In 1952 Big Mama Thorton originated the song "Hound Dog" that Elvis Presley later remade. Willie Mae Thornton Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton was born in Ariton, Ala. on December 11, 1926. She was a singer and songwriter, who originated the song "Hound Dog" which Elvis Presley later remade. She even played the harmonica and was a self-taught drummer. Koko Taylor is known as "Queen of the Blues" Kok Taylor Kok Taylor was discovered by Willie Dixon in 1962, shortly after she got her first recording contract. One of her most famous songs is "Voodoo Woman" and she is widely known as the "Queen of the Blues" in music circles. Katie Webster is known as "The Swamp Boogie Queen" Katie Webster Katie Webster is a blues singer and pianist, nicknamed the "Swamp Boogie Queen." She led her own band but also opened for Otis Redding and played in his band after being noticed by him in 1964. Bettye released an album in early 2015 titled "Worthy" Bettye LaVette Bettye LaVette scored her first top 10 R&B hit titled “My Man, He’s a Lovin’ Man” when she was just 16-years-old. After being signed to Atlantic Records, she too went on tour with Otis Redding and is widely known for her fusion of rock, blues, country and soul, funk and gospel. In 2015, she released a new album, Worthy. In 1972, Lady Bianca played the role of Billie Holiday in Jon Hendricks' Evolution of the Blues. Lady Bianca Lady Bianca's first professional singing job was with Quinn Harris and the Masterminds, when she was age 17. She later went on to performe with Sly & The Family Stone as a back-up vocalist. Nora Jean Bruso began her professional career with Scottie and the Oasis. Nora Jean Bruso Hailing from a large family (she had eleven brothers and four sisters), Nora Jean Bruso moved to Chicago from Mississippi in 1976 and began her professional singing career with Scottie and the Oasis. Over the years she has toured with her own band throughout the U.S., Europe and Canada. In 2009, she was nominated for the prestigious Blues Music Award. Barbara Lynn met Michael Jackson when he was nine years old. Barbara Lynn Barbara Lynn is a blues singer and guitarist who's best known for her 1962 chart topper, "You'll Lose A Good Thing." Barbara Lynn toured with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Gladys Knight and Marvin Gaye. Zakiya Hooker is the daughter of blues legend Lee Hooker. Zakiya Hooker Zakiya Hooker made her first public appearance in 1991 at the Kaiser Center Theatre in California. Since then Zakiya, daughter of blues legend Lee Hooker, has gone on to perform with Etta James, John Hammond, Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite and many more. Threadgill has received a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts in Music Composition for her upcoming album. Peng Threadgill Peng Threadgill is the daughter of composer Henry Threadgill and choreographer Christina Jones. She released her debut album Sweet Home in 2005. She describes as being, "somewhere between jazz, singer-songwriter, and pop artist."

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