Alberta Adams
Alberta Adams (born Roberta Louise Osborn on July 26, 1917 - December 25, 2014[1]) was an American Detroit blues, jump blues, and Chicago blues singer. Adams was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Alberta Adams | |
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![]() Adams performing at Sushi Blues, Dec 2006 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Roberta Louise Osborn |
Also known as | The Queen of the Blues |
Born | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | July 26, 1917
Died | December 25, 2014 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 97)
Genres | Detroit blues, jump blues, Chicago blues |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1930s |
Labels | Chess Records, Savoy Records, Cannonball Records, Eastlawn Records |
She was raised in Detroit, she began performing as a tap dancer and nightclub singer in the 1930s. In 1952, she landed a recording contract with Chess Records and recorded alongside Red Saunders for the record label. Adams toured alongside Duke Ellington, Eddie Vinson, Louis Jordan, Lionel Hampton, and T-Bone Walker amongst others.
Her solo career saw her secure a recording contract with the now defunct Cannonball Records, and she recorded two albums for them: 1999's Born With the Blues and 2000s Say Baby Say. Her 2004 album, I'm on the Move, was released on Eastlawn Records label. In 2006 she released the EP Detroit's Queen of the Blues, which was named Outstanding Blues/R&B Recording at the 2006 Detroit Music Awards.
At age 91 she recorded Detroit Is My Home, with Ann Rabson and Thornetta Davis as guest artists.
Adams died in Detroit, Michigan after a period of failing health, aged 97.[1]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Graff, Gary (December 25, 2014). "Alberta Adams, the Queen of Detroit blues, dies at 97". Macomb Daily. Archived from the original on 2014-12-25. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
Other websites
changeMedia related to Alberta Adams at Wikimedia Commons
- Alberta Adams at Eastlawn Records Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine