Mattie Hite

Mattie Hite (sometimes spelled Matie Hite; c.1890 – c.1935) was an African American blues singer in the classic female blues style.

Her birthplace is unknown, but New York City has been suggested.^[1] Around 1915 she moved to Chicago, where she sang at the Panama Club, often with such performers as Alberta Hunter and Florence Mills.^[1] In 1919 she returned to New York City, where she worked in cabarets.^[1] Hite recorded in 1921 for Victor Records but the result was unissued; she recorded again in 1923 with Fletcher Henderson for the Pathé label, in 1923-4 for the Bell label, and in 1930 with Cliff Jackson for the Columbia label.^[1] From 1928–1932 she appeared in various revues at the Lafayette Theater in New York City. She is thought to have died in New York City in about 1935.^[1]

Blues writer Derrick Stewart-Baxter wrote in 1970 that "according to Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon, [Mattie Hite] was a long, tall woman, who flavored her act with some extremely risqué songs".^[2] James P. Johnson considered Hite "one of the greatest cabaret singers of all time".^[1] She was known especially for her version of "St. James' Infirmary".^[3]

Mattie Hite's complete recordings were reissued in CD format by Document Records on Female Blues Singers, Volume 9: H2 (1923–1930) Complete Recorded Works & Supplements (DODC-5513).

Nellie Hite

The singer Nellie Hite, who recorded two sides in 1923 for Bell label may be Mattie Hite, or her sister.^[1]

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Harris 1994, p. 231
^ Stewart-Baxter 1970, p. 94
^ Stewart-Baxter 1970, p. 96

References

Harris, Sheldon (1994). Blues Who's Who (Revised Ed.). New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80155-8
Stewart-Baxter, Derrick. 1970. Ma Rainey and the classic blues singers. London: Studio Vista. OCLC 250212516

Persondata
Name	Hite, Mattie
Alternative names
Short description	African American blues singer
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death