Bertha Lee

• Active: '20s, '30s
• Genres: Blues
• Instrument: Vocals, Performer, Photography

Biography

Bertha Lee recorded very little, which is a shame because she has one powerful blues voice. When she was young, Lee's family moved to Lula, Mississippi, where she would eventually meet Charley Patton. Their relationship began in 1930 and lasted until his death four years later. In that time, Lee sang accompanying vocals on twelve of Patton's recordings -- blues and gospel -- from sessions in early 1934. It was at one of these that Lee cut three songs of her own: "Yellow Bee" (a Memphis Minnie tune), the unissued "Dog Train Blues" and "Mind Reader Blues." ~ Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide