'Godmother of rock and roll' inspires young pianist

"Born in 1915, Tharpe was an American guitar player and gospel and blues singer who was popular in the 1930s and '40s. She sang traditional gospel songs with contemporary jazz tempos that she played on her electric guitar. With these performances, she introduced gospel into nightclubs and concert venues. Her work influenced early rock and rollers such as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley."

"Pianist Mia Odeleye reached the final of Channel 4's The Piano after auditioning at Liverpool Street Railway Station. She said: 'It is amazing to honour tell Rosetta Tharpe's story every night, I can only hope what I'm doing is something she would enjoy.' The 19-year-old from Wandsworth has been playing the piano since she was seven, growing up in a house with an 'old beat up piano'."

"in 1938 she began performing at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, where she focused on jazz songs and became a hit with the predominantly white audience. That year she signed a recording contract with Decca Records. She spent most of her later years touring in Europe."

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born in 1915, was an American gospel and blues singer and guitarist who revolutionized music by blending traditional gospel with contemporary jazz tempos on electric guitar, introducing gospel into nightclubs and concert venues. Her innovative performances influenced major rock and roll pioneers including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard. Despite her significant impact on music history, Tharpe's contributions have gone largely unrecognized by the general public. Her story is now being brought to audiences through the West End play Marie and Rosetta, starring Beverley Knight, with pianist Mia Odeleye making her theatrical debut in the production. Odeleye, a 19-year-old from Wandsworth who reached the final of Channel 4's The Piano, has been inspired by African American classical musicians and considers it an honor to tell Tharpe's story nightly.

Read at www.bbc.com