Rainey, Ma (1886-1939), was one of the great blues singers of the early 1900's. She also composed several popular blues songs, notably "Bo-Weavil Blues" and "Moonshine Blues" (both 1923). Rainey made a number of classic blues recordings with such famous jazz musicians as Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, and Tommy Ladnier. The great blues singer Bessie Smith was influenced and encouraged by Rainey while a member of Rainey's traveling vaudeville company.