Ma Fest celebrates Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939) who was an American blues singer known as the "Mother of the Blues", Ma Rainey collaborated with Thomas Dorsey, Tampa Red, and Louis Armstrong to mention a few. Toured and recorded with the Georgia Jazz Band. Touring until 1935, she then largely retired from performing and continued as a theater impresario in her hometown of Columbus, Georgia.