Alberta Hunter

Alberta Hunter was an American blues singer, songwriter, and nurse whose career spanned several decades from the early 1920s to the 1980s. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she rose to prominence during the 1920s and 1930s for her passionate and soulful voice, performing in renowned venues like the Cotton Club in New York City. While she penned numerous songs throughout her career, one of her most notable contributions is "Downhearted Blues," which became a major hit for Bessie Smith. After a hiatus during which she pursued a career in nursing, Hunter made a remarkable comeback in the late 1970s, reintroducing herself to new generations and solidifying her legacy as a pioneering figure in blues and jazz music.