Alberta Hunter(1895-1984)

Composer, songwriter ("Down Hearted Blues"), author and singer who was a singer on early recordings after high school, later appearing in the London production of 'Showboat' and at the Palladium and throughout Europe and Egypt. She had a radio program over NBC, and toured Europe and the Pacific entertaining troops during World War II, and later, Korea and Japan. On Broadway she appeared in the stage productions of 'Mamba's Daughters' and 'Mrs. Patterson'. She was also a practical nurse, working at New York's Goldwater Memorial Hospital. Joining ASCAP in 1952, her other popular-song compositions include "Down South Blues", "Chirping the Blues", "My Castle's Rocking", "I Want to Thank You, Lord", "You Got to Reap Just Reap What You Sow", "Will the Day Ever Come When I Can Rest", "Kind Treatment", and "What's the Matter, Baby?".