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Napoleon Brown Goodson Culp — better known to the world as Nappy Brown — was a powerful-voiced R&B and blues singer whose emotionally charged delivery[…]

Memphis Slim — born John Len Chatman and sometimes credited as Peter Chatman — was one of the 20th century’s most influential blues pianists, singers,[…]

Lizzie Douglas — known to the world as Memphis Minnie — was one of the most formidable and influential figures in early American blues. A[…]

Anderson Meade "Lux" Lewis, commonly known as Meade Lux Lewis, was one of the defining piano voices of American boogie-woogie. A powerful and percussive pianist,[…]

Maxwell Lemuel “Max” Roach (January 10, 1924 – August 16, 2007) was an American jazz drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator whose innovations helped define modern[…]

Mary Lou Williams (born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs; May 8, 1910 – May 28, 1981) was one of the most versatile, tireless, and influential figures in[…]

Mance Lipscomb (April 9, 1895 – January 30, 1976) was an American country blues singer, guitarist, and songster whose repertoire stretched far beyond what many[…]

Mamie Smith (born Mamie Robinson; May 26, 1891) was an American vaudeville singer, dancer, and pioneering recording artist whose 1920 recording of “Crazy Blues” helped[…]

Samuel Gene Maghett (1937-1969), known globally as Magic Sam, was a seminal figure in the Chicago blues scene, whose innovative style and electrifying performances left[…]

Gertrude “Ma” Rainey (born Gertrude Pridgett; April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest and most influential professional blues singers in[…]