Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter and Ethel Waters were among the biggest blues singers of their day. Their nights, however, belonged to them--and the ladies they shared them with.Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter and Ethel Waters were among the biggest blues singers of their day. Their nights, however, belonged to them--and the ladies they shared them with.Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter and Ethel Waters were among the biggest blues singers of their day. Their nights, however, belonged to them--and the ladies they shared them with.