May 31, 2019 by Jennifer Rodrigo · Arts & Culture

Give It Up for Miss Lavelle White, Blues Singer and All-Around Bold Icon

Austin’s amazing “First Lady of Blues” turns 90 this summer. Can we get a round of applause?

You don’t meet Miss Lavelle White: You “feel” her. Her face exemplifies the essence of a blues singer. It shows pain, suffering, hardship—all those things that make the blues the blues—and gives her songs their gritty honesty. Put that together with a risqué sense of humor that twinkles in her eyes, and you have a woman who, on the cusp of turning 90, is totally about aging boldly and blazingly.

Lavelle’s talent was evident early. Born in Louisiana to a single mom, Lillia (as she was known then) started singing spirituals in church as well as soul, funk, and blues with her powerful, emotion-rich voice. She also began writing poetry and songs at a young age. She landed in Houston at age 15 and performed in the clubs while having a day job, until the age of 22, when she went full time, then known as Miss La-Vell.

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