George C. Wolfe on directing 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom': 'Jazz gave America its own language'
"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," based on August Wilson's 1982 play, is set in Chicago the summer of 1927 during a particularly contentious recording session between Ma Rainey and her band. It is a crucial time in her career. Ma has been usurped by blues singers Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters and "Queen of the Moaners" Clara […]