Maybe
not quite the blues equal of Bessie Smith,
nevertheless Sara Martin was a fine and very popular classic blues singer.
Often referred to as "the blues sensation of the West," Sara Martin was born
in Louisville, Kentucky in 1884 and began her singing career on the
vaudeville circuit. A tall attractive woman, she switched to blues singing
in the early 1920's. In 1922, she signed for OKeh Records and began a
very successful recording career, releasing some great tracks like "Mean
Tight Mama", "Uncle Sam Blues" and "Death Sting Me Blues". Throughout the
1920's she toured and recorded, and her previous vaudeville experience led
to her becoming popular on the Southern Theater Owners' Booking Association
(TOBA) circuit, eventually playing theatres and clubs on the American east
coast as well. On stage she was noted for her big voice, extravagant and
somewhat gaudy costumes and a dramatic performing style. In the early 1930's
she gave up performing and returned to her home town Louisville where she
opened a nursing home. This she ran for the next 20 years only singing
gospel on occasions in her local church. Sara Martin died aged 71 in 1955
after suffering a stroke.
Maybe
not quite the blues equal of