The Divas
By Karen and Thomasina Meeks
The Divas – Honoring the Women Who Changed Music
This special section celebrates the groundbreaking artistry of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James—five extraordinary women whose voices shaped the foundations of blues, jazz, soul, and rhythm & blues.
Through the concert that is developing into a theatrical musical production “The Divas Sung by Karen Meeks,” Karen honors the passion, courage, and musical brilliance of these legendary artists. Their music tells stories of strength, struggle, love, and triumph that continue to resonate across generations.
Here you will find songs from their beloved repertoire, along with music inspired by their spirit and influence. This page is a tribute to the enduring power of their voices and their immeasurable contributions to the world of music.
Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
DECIDED TO SING INSTEAD OF PICKING COTTON
*Dubbed the “ugliest woman in show business”
*Was a bawdy and outlandish bi-sexual
*Mentor to Bessie Smith
*Very astute business woman
*Owned and operated theaters
*Self proclaimed Mother of the Blues
Bessie Smith
SOLD 8 TO 10 MILLION RECORDS/COMMANDED RESPECT FOR HERSELF AND HER MUSICIANS
*She was orphaned at age nine
*She made money as a street performer
*She had failed marriages and was openly bisexual
*Her voice was powerful as she claimed the stage with riveting performances
*She was the Empress of the Blues
Billie “Eleanor Fagan” Holiday
"STRANGE FRUIT" NAMED SONG OF THE CENTURY IN 1999 BY TIME MAGAZINE/ OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD
*Sent to a reformatory for truancy
*Raped at 10 years old
*Was drug addicted to opium and heroin
*First Black woman to tour with a white orchestra full time
*Major Jazz and Pop vocalist that sang “Strange Fruit” in protest of Lynchings
*posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987
Ella Fitzgerald
SANG WHEN SHE WAS TOO AFRAID TO DANCE AT THE APOLLO AMATEUR NIGHT TALENT SHOW, SHE THE WON CONTEST AND THE REST IS MUSICAL HISTORY
*Orphaned at 15, worked for a bordello and ran numbers
*Truancy led her to be placed into an environment abusive
*Inherited a band and named it Ella and her Famous Band
*Was extremely successful even though she was not considered beautiful
*13 Grammy Award wins