| Ida Goodson | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 23, 1909 Pensacola, Florida, United States |
| Died | January 5, 2000 (aged 90) Pensacola, Florida, United States |
| Genres | Classic female blues, jazz[1] |
| Occupations | Singer, pianist |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1920s–2000 |
| Associated acts | Billie Pierce |
Ida Goodson (November 23, 1909 – January 5, 2000)[2] was an American classic female blues and jazz singer plus pianist.
Goodson was born in Pensacola, Florida, the youngest of seven sisters, six of whom survived to adulthood. Her father and mother both played piano.[2] Her father was deacon at Pensacola's Mount Olive Baptist Church.[1]
All of the daughters received tuition in music, with the sole intention of them performing in church.[1] Indeed, Goodson noted that the blues were banned in her house.[3] However, Ida, Mabel, Della, Sadie, Edna, and Wilhemina (more commonly known as Billie Pierce), all subsequently had careers in either blues or jazz.[4] The Preservation Hall Jazz Band often had one of the Goodson sisters playing keyboards. Goodson herself played the piano for accompaniment to silent films and at dances.[1]
The Florida Folk Archive released a recording taken at the Florida Folk Festival in 1980, comprising a duet between Ida and Sadie Goodson. She received a Florida Folk Heritage Award in 1987.[2][4]
In 2002 a stage show, The Goodson Sisters: Pensacola's Greatest Gift to Jazz, focused on Ida, Wilhemia, and Sadie Goodson. The Wild Women Don't Have the Blues PBS video included rare footage of Bessie Smith and her one-time accompanist, Goodson. Music journalist Chris Heim stated in the Chicago Tribune; "Sprightly blues and gospel performer Ida Goodson - the scene stealer of the film - gives a stunning exhibition of the intimate connection between gospel and blues when she takes the song "Precious Lord" from a rich, slow gospel opening to a rollicking boogie-woogie conclusion."[5]
In her senior years, Goodson played organ at several churches in Pensacola.[1][4] An album was released by the Florida Folklife Program, Ida Goodson: Pensacola Piano—Florida Gulf Blues, Jazz, and Gospel.[4]