Sweet Pease Spivey

Biography

Addie 'Sweet Peas' Spivey (August 22, 1910 – 1943) was an American classic blues singer from Houston, Texas, who recorded professionally during the 1930s. She was the younger sister of the more prominent blues artist Victoria Spivey, known as 'Queen Victoria,' and together they represented a talented musical family from the Gulf Coast of Texas. Sweet Pease recorded for several major record labels between 1929 and 1937, establishing herself as a professional recording artist during the height of the classic blues era.

Sweet Pease performed both as a solo artist and alongside her sister Victoria in vaudeville and club settings. Her recording career, though shorter than her sister's, placed her among the working blues musicians of the Depression era. She was also known by the stage name 'Za Zu Girl' during her performances. Sweet Pease's career was cut short when she died in Detroit, Michigan in 1943 at the age of 33, leaving behind a modest but notable discography from her years as a recording artist in the 1930s.

Fun Facts

• Sweet Pease Spivey was also known by the stage name 'Za Zu Girl' during her performances.
• She came from a remarkably musical family—her father Grant Spivey was a part-time musician and railroad flagman, and her mother Addie (Smith) Spivey was a nurse, yet all three Spivey children pursued professional singing careers.
• Sweet Pease recorded for multiple major record labels during her career, demonstrating her value as a recording artist despite the competitive blues market of the 1930s.
• Her recording career spanned from 1929 to 1937, during which she maintained an active presence in the recording industry despite the Great Depression.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Victoria Spivey (sister) - Older sister who was an established blues singer and likely influenced Sweet Pease's musical direction and performance style (Family performances and vaudeville shows together) [1920s-1930s]

Key Collaborators

• Luis Russell Orchestra - Sweet Pease Spivey recorded as a smaller combo on dates headed by the Luis Russell Orchestra (Recording sessions with Luis Russell's ensemble) [1929-1931]
• Victoria Spivey (sister) - Performed together in vaudeville and clubs (Joint performances and stage shows) [1920s-1930s]

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
• MusicBrainz