Who was Ma Rainey? A play stokes fresh interest in the Chicago blues singer episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 28, 2026 · 4 MIN

Who was Ma Rainey? A play stokes fresh interest in the Chicago blues singer

from WBEZ News

The classic August Wilson play “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” tells the story of a real life blues legend …Ma Rainey. The play is currently onstage at the Goodman Theater. And it's bringing more attention to the real Rainey, who recorded all her music in Chicago at Paramount Records a century ago. HOST: LANE

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Who was Ma Rainey? A play stokes fresh interest in the Chicago blues singer

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This episode was published on April 28, 2026.

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The classic August Wilson play “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” tells the story of a real life blues legend …Ma Rainey. The play is currently onstage at the Goodman Theater. And it's bringing more attention to the real Rainey, who recorded all her...

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