Ladies of Blues: A Pathfinder

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Subject Headings
Browsing Area
Books
Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, & Companions
Multimedia (Videos & Sound recordings)

Introduction

The purpose of this pathfinder is to showcase the literature and Multimedia available on early female blues singers at the University of South Florida's main campus library in Tampa. The Blues is considered by some to be a sub-genre of Jazz or a genre to itself by others. Its’ beginnings date back to the era of American slavery. These prominent female performers were among the first to record the blues in the 1920s & 1930s. The guide is intended to be used by students interested in the history of music, students interested in female performers, and also general users reading for their own personal edification. However, it is important to note that the pathfinder could be of interest and value to a plethora of different disciplines.

Subject Headings

African - American women musicians – Biography

African - American music

Blues (Music)

Blues (Music) – Analysis, appreciation

Blues (Music) – History and criticism

Blues (Music) – Texts

Blues musicians – United States – Biography

Jazz

Jazz vocals

Women blues musicians – United States – Biography

Women singers – United States – Biography

Women Jazz musicians—United States – Biography

Browsing Area

General Collection

ML 54 – ML 3521

MT 146

Multimedia

781 – 784

M 1630

Books

Bourgeois, A. (1996). Blueswomen: profiles of 37 early performers with an anthology of lyrics, 1920-1945. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. ML54.6B79B6 1996

Davis, A. (1998). Blues legacies and black feminism: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday. New York: Pantheon Books. ML3521.D355 1998

Hayes, E, & Williams, L. (2007). Black women and music: More than the blues. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. ML 82.A37 2007

Jackson, B. (2005). A bad woman feeling good: Blues and the women who sing them. New York: W.W. Norton. ML400.J24 2005

Nicholson, S. (1995). Billie Holiday. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Press. ML420.H58N53 1995

Oliver, P. (1959). Bessie Smith. New York: Barnes. ML420.S66704 1961

Stewart-Baxter, D. (1970). Ma Rainey and the classic blues singers. The blues series. New York: Stein and day. ML400.S84

Encyclopedias, Dictionaries & Companions

Drozdowski, T, Mandel, H, & Scofield, J. (2005). The billboard illustrated encyclopedia of jazz and blues. New York: Billboard Books. ML102.J3B55 2005

Komara, E. (2006). Encyclopedia of the blues. New York: Routledge. ML202.B6 E53 2006

Moore, A. (ed.). (2002). The Cambridge companion to blues and gospel music. New York: Cambridge University Press. MT146.C36 2002

Multimedia (Video & Sound recordings)

Calliope Film Resources, Inc, & California Newsreel (film). (1989). Wild women don’t have the blues. San Francisco, CA: California Newsreel. 781.643W643

Dee, R, & O’Meally, R. (1991). Lady day the many faces of Billie Holiday. Masters of American music series. Long Beach, NJ: Kultur. 782.42165092L157

Films for the humanities (firm), & Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Co. (1988). Bessie Smith. Against the odds. Princeton, NJ: Films for the humanities. 782.421643B559

Copeland, M, Brown, B, Jones, M, Edwards, S, Edwards B, Bentley, G, et al. (1980). Mean mothers. Independent women’s blues (Vol. 1). New York: Rosetta Records. R4102

Holiday, B. (1981). Billie Holiday at jazz at the Philharmonic. New York: Polygram Records. M1366.H65B556 1981

Holiday, B, & Fitzgerald, E. (1980). Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Universal City, CA: MCA records. 782.42164H732b

Rainey, M. (1990). Ma Rainey’s black bottom. Newton, NJ: Yazoo Records. M1630.18R29M2 1990

Smith, B. (1986). Bessie Smith great original performances, 1925-1933. Jazz classics in digital stereo. England: BBC. 784.165Sm52b