Laura Rucker

When the popular blues radio show Blues Before Sunrise chose pianist and singer Laura Rucker as the subject of a Valentine's Day tribute, the host expressed wonder at the singer's credits with both the country blues artist Blind Blake and the jazzy, slick, experimental, and urban pianist Earl Hines. "Anyone who makes that stretch gets my attention," the show's host commented. But close examination of the discographical depository of evidence makes it seem more like Rucker and her peers on the blues scene were almost trying to avoid attention, releasing recording sessions under...