Gaye Adegbalola | |
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.jpg) Adegbalola in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Gaye Todd (1944-03-21)March 21, 1944 (age 81) Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | Alligator |
| Website | www |
Gaye Adegbalola (bornGaye Todd; March 21, 1944,)[1] is anAmericanblues singer and guitarist, teacher, lecturer, activist, and photographer.
Gaye Adegbalola was born on March 21, 1944, inFredericksburg, Virginia. Adegbalola's father, Clarence R. Todd, was the firstBlack school board member in Fredericksburg, as well as a jazz musician.[1] He founded a performing arts group for black youth called "Souls of Shade", today known as "Harambee 360° Experimental Theater."[2] Her mother, Gladys P. Todd, was an early organizer of localcivil rights movement in Fredericksburg and she frequently brought home oldjazz records from her job at the Youth Canteen to give to young Gaye.[2]
Abegbalola attended a segregated highschool calledWalker–Grant High School, and she graduated as her classvaledictorian in 1961. During her time at Walker-Grant High School, she participated in numerous sit-in protests and picket lines as a member of the civil rights movement.[3] She later attendedBoston University, where she graduated with a B.A. in biology.[3]
Adegbalola's occupations after college included being atechnical writer forTRW Systems, a biochemical researcher atRockefeller University, and abacteriologist atHarlem Hospital where she was also the local union representative.[4] These were all in sharp contrast to her first job as a teenager, where she worked at a laundry mat for forty-five cents an hour.[4] From 1966 to 1970, she was involved in theBlack Power Movement in New York and she organized the Harlem Committee on Self-Defense, where she met individuals such asAudre Lorde.[4][5]
In 1970, Adgbalola returned to Fredericksburg, where she taught science, gifted and talented and creative thinking courses in local schools.[4] She helped her father direct the Harambee Theater, sometimes acting in performances herself, until his death in 1977.[2] That same year, Gaye began studying guitar after already mastering the flute while she was in her high school's band.[6] In 1978 she received her Master of Education in Educational Media fromVirginia State University,[4] and in 1982 was honored as Virginia's Teacher of the Year.[7] She spent much of the rest of the 1980s conducting teachers' workshops on motivational and teaching techniques.
Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women was first formed as a duo in 1984 by Adegbalola and her guitar teacher, Ann Rabson, with Earlene Lewis joining later to form a trio.[6] Lewis was replaced by Andra Faye in 1992. Saffire recorded their first album,Middle Age Blues, on their own label in 1987, with songs including "They Call Me Miss Thang" and "Middle Age Blues Boogie". The following year, Adegbalola became a full-time blues performer and in 1990 the band recorded its first album forAlligator Records, and they won the "Song of the Year"W.C. Handy Award for their song "Middle Age Blues Boogie".[6]
During the 1990s, Adegbalola held workshops on various aspects of blues music and worked as a blues music reporter for theWorld Cafe program onNational Public Radio. In 1998, she co-founded the Steering Committee of the Blues Music Association. Her first solo album,Bitter Sweet Blues, was recorded in 1999. In addition to her own original compositions ("You Don't Have to Take It (Like I Did)," "Big Ovaries, Baby" and "Nothing's Changed"), the album had cover versions of songs byBessie Smith,Smokey Robinson,Ma Rainey andNina Simone.
Adegbalola was nominated for two Outmusic awards in 2005.[8] Adegbalola's song "Big Ovaries, Baby" was used in episode 23 ofThe War On Democracy!podcast. Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women disbanded amicably in 2009, but Adegbalola continues to pursue solo projects.[9]
Adegbalola was honored as one of theLibrary of Virginia'sVirginia Women in History for 2018.[10]
In 1992, Adegbalola was diagnosed withuterine andcervical cancer,[11] and fortunately she eventually recovered.[5] In 2000, in a short piece on her work and career inThe Advocate, Adegbalola came out as alesbian.[5] She had been with her life partner, Suzanne Moe since 1991.[3]
In the late 1960s when she was living in Harlem, Adegbalola married Olumide who was at the time the manager of the originalLast Poets. Her son, Juno Lumumba Kahlil was born in 1969, and later made his own mark in thegoth/industrial music world. Soon after, Adegbalola and Olumide divorced.[4]
Her surname, Adegbalola, was given to her by aYoruba priest she met in 1968.[12] The surname translates to "I am reclaiming my royalty," and Gaye uses the name to signify herpride in her black heritage.[12][5]
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