Victoria Spivey, born October 15, 1906, in Houston, Texas, was an American blues singer and songwriter whose career spanned multiple decades, bridging the early years of recorded blues into the resurgence of interest in traditional blues in the 1960s. She began recording in the mid-1920s, quickly establishing herself with a sophisticated style that incorporated elements of jazz and vaudeville into her blues performances. Her evocative voice and original compositions, which often explored themes of love, betrayal, and social commentary, made her one of the prominent female voices in blues music during its formative years.

Spivey's recordings, such as "Black Snake Blues," "TB Blues," and "Dope Head Blues," captured the variegated landscape of African American life and struggles, making her a vital voice in the canon of American music. She worked with legendary figures including Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Lonnie Johnson, proving herself equally adept as a solo artist and a collaborative musician. Despite taking a hiatus from the music industry in the mid-1950s, she made a triumphant return in the 1960s, founding Spivey Records, through which she mentored and recorded with the next generation of blues musicians. Victoria Spivey's contribution to the blues genre extends beyond her impressive discography to her role as an educator, record producer, and advocate for the music she loved until her passing on October 3, 1976.

Genres

Harlem Renaissance

Traditional Blues

Latest Release

Thursday Girl

Victoria Spivey

Album - 10 Tracks - Released January 29, 2021