Sara Martin

Sara Martin (June 18, 1884 – May 24, 1955) was an American blues singer, in her time one of the most popular of the classic blues singers. She was billed as "The Famous Moanin' Mama" and "The Colored Sophie Tucker". She made many recordings, including a few under the names Margaret Johnson and Sally Roberts.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 18, 1884 (Louisville), Died May 24, 1955 (Louisville)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1922 - 1927

Roles Represented in DAHR: contralto, songwriter, composer, lyricist, leader, vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 80678 10-in. 11/18/1922 I loved you once but you stayed away too long Brownskin Syncopators ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 80679 10-in. 11/18/1922 'Tain't nobody's biz-ness if I do Brownskin Syncopators ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
Columbia 80995 10-in. 4/28/1923 Mama's got the blues Fletcher Henderson ; Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano songwriter  
Columbia 81253 10-in. 10/2/1923 Uncle Sam blues Fletcher Henderson ; Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano songwriter  
Columbia 81840 10-in. 6/24/1924 Squabblin' blues The Four Spades Jazz/dance instrumental ensemble composer  
OKeh 8582 10-in. 3/19/1924 Everybody's got the blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with banjo-guitar vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 8583 10-in. 3/19/1924 My man blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with banjo-guitar vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 8584 10-in. 3/19/1924 Pleading blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with banjo-guitar vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 8585 10-in. 3/19/1924 Every woman needs a man Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 8593 Not documented Mar. 1924 [Unknown title(s)] Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 8594 Not documented Mar. 1924 [Unknown title(s)] Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 8595 10-in. Mar. 1924 Got to leave my home blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 8596 10-in. Mar. 1924 Poor me blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with banjo-guitar vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 9022 Not documented Mar. 1925 [Unknown title(s)] Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with banjo and guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 9023 10-in. Mar. 1925 Can't find nobody to do like my old daddy do Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with banjo and guitar vocalist, contralto, composer  
OKeh 9024 10-in. Mar. 1925 I'm sorry blues Sara Martin ; Charles Washington ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with banjo and guitar vocalist, contralto, composer, lyricist  
OKeh 9025 10-in. Mar. 1925 Daddy, ease this pain of mine Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with banjo and guitar vocalist, contralto, composer  
OKeh 9029 10-in. Mar. 1925 Strange lovin' blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, composer  
OKeh 9030 10-in. Mar. 1925 I can always tell when a man is treatin' me cool Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, composer  
OKeh 9708 10-in. 6/14/1926 Late last night blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto, lyricist  
OKeh 9709 10-in. 6/14/1926 Some sweet day Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto, lyricist  
OKeh 9739 10-in. 6/17/1926 John said he saw a number Arizona Dranes ; Richard M. Jones ; Sara Martin Mixed vocal trio, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-70934 Not documented Oct. 1922 [Unknown title(s)] Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-70935 10-in. Oct. 1922 Sugar blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-70990 10-in. Nov. 1922 Achin' hearted blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71068 10-in. Dec. 1922 'Tain't nobody's bus'ness if I do Sara Martin ; Fats Waller Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71069 10-in. Dec. 1922 You got ev'ry thing a sweet mama needs but me Sara Martin ; Fats Waller Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71105 10-in. Dec. 1922 Mama's got the blues Sara Martin ; Thomas Waller Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh S-71106 10-in. Dec. 1922 Last go round blues Sara Martin ; Thomas Waller Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71373 10-in. March 1923 Mama's got the blues Handy's Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-71390 10-in. April 1923 Keeps on a-rainin' Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71391 10-in. April 1923 Joe Turner blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71398 10-in. April 1923 Michigan water blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71399 10-in. April 1923 If your man is like my man (I sympathize with you) Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71400 10-in. April 1923 I got what it takes to bring you back Shelton Brooks ; Sara Martin Female-male vocal duet,with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71401 10-in. April 1923 Original blues Shelton Brooks ; Sara Martin Female-male vocal duet,with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71431 10-in. April 1923 Come home papa blues Handy's Orchestra ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71432 10-in. April 1923 It takes a long time to get 'em but you can lose 'em overnight Handy's Orchestra ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71433 10-in. April 1923 Laughin' cryin' blues Handy's Orchestra ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71449 10-in. April 1923 Cruel backbitin' blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71450 10-in. April 1923 Leave my sweet daddy alone Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71455 10-in. April 1923 Monkey man blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet,with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71465 10-in. April 1923 Yodeling blues Sara Martin ; Thomas Morris ; Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams Female vocal duet, with cornet and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71629 10-in. June 1923 Where can that somebody be? Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71630 10-in. June 1923 Just thinkin' blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71631 10-in. June 1923 If you don't like it, leave Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71632 10-in. June 1923 Nobody in town can bake a sweet jelly roll like mine Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71640 10-in. June 1923 That free and easy papa Sara Martin ; Thomas Morris ; Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams Female vocal duet, with cornet and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71641 10-in. June 1923 Hesitation blues Sara Martin ; Thomas Morris ; Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams Female vocal duet, with cornet and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71653 10-in. June 1923 Tired o' waitin' blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71654 10-in. June 1923 You just can't have no one man by yourself Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71655 10-in. June 1923 Goin' down to the levee Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71656 10-in. June 1923 Ye shall reap just what you sow Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71669 10-in. July 1923 New Orleans hop scop blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71670 10-in. July 1923 Uncle Sam blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano songwriter, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71696 10-in. July 1923 Sweet man was the cause of it all Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71697 10-in. July 1923 Sympathizing blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71701 10-in. July 1923 Mistreated mama blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71702 10-in. July 1923 Runnin' 'round with the blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71711 10-in. August 1923 Blind man blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71712 10-in. August 1923 Atlanta blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71715 10-in. August 1923 My good man's blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71716 10-in. August 1923 Jelly's blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71717 10-in. August 1923 Troubled blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano songwriter, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71718 10-in. August 1923 I'm satisfied Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71736 10-in. August 1923 Blue gum blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71737 Not documented Aug. 1923 [Unknown title(s)] Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71738 10-in. August 1923 Slow down, sweet papa, mama's catching up with you Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano songwriter, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71961 10-in. 10/11/1923 Graveyard dream blues Clarence Williams' Harmonizing Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71962 10-in. 10/11/1923 A green gal can't catch on Clarence Williams' Harmonizing Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet lyricist, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71980 10-in. October 1923 Longing for daddy blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar songwriter, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71981 10-in. October 1923 I've got to go and leave my daddy behind Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar lyricist, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71984 10-in. 11/1/1923 I'm cert'ny gonna see 'bout that Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet,with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71985 10-in. 11/1/1923 Squabbling blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet, with piano lyricist, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71986 10-in. 11/2/1923 Guitar blues Sylvester Weaver Guitar solo composer  
OKeh S-71997 10-in. 11/2/1923 Guitar rag Sylvester Weaver Guitar solo songwriter  
OKeh S-71998 10-in. 11/2/1923 Roamin' blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar songwriter, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-71999 10-in. 11/2/1923 Good-bye blues Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar lyricist, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72586 10-in. 5/29/1924 If I don't find my brown I won't be back at all Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with guitar (take A); with piano (take B) vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh S-72587 10-in. 5/29/1924 He's never gonna throw me down Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72592 10-in. June 1924 Too late now to get your baby back Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72593 Not documented June 1924 [Unknown title(s)] Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72825 10-in. 9/16/1924 Jug band blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72831 10-in. 9/19/1924 Jug band blues Sara Martin's Jug Band Instrumental trio leader  
OKeh S-72832 10-in. 9/16/1924 Don't you quit me, daddy Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72833 10-in. 9/16/1924 I got the crying blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72834 10-in. 9/19/1924 I ain't got no man Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72835 10-in. 9/22/1924 Blues, please go away Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72836 10-in. 9/22/1924 Come back, daddy, and ease my aching heart Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72837 10-in. 9/22/1924 I'm gonna be a lovin' old soul Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72838 10-in. 9/22/1924 Papa, papa blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio vocalist, contralto, songwriter, leader  
OKeh S-72846 10-in. Sept. 1924 What kind'a man is you? Lemuel Fowler ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72847 10-in. Sept. 1924 Some blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72853 10-in. Sept. 1924 Old fashioned Sara blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72854 10-in. Sept. 1924 Sobbin' hearted blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72855 10-in. Sept. 1924 I'd rather be blue than green Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72856 10-in. Sept. 1924 Cage of apes Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72857 10-in. Sept. 1924 Things done got too thick Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh S-72858 10-in. Sept. 1924 Eagle Rock me, papa Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73753 10-in. Nov. 1925 Down at the Razor Ball Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with cornet, trombone, and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73754 10-in. Nov. 1925 Mournful blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with cornet, trombone, and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73755 10-in. Nov. 1925 Georgia stockade blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with cornet, trombone, and piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73759 10-in. Nov. 1925 Forget me not blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with cornet, piano, and harmonica vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 73760 10-in. Nov. 1925 Nobody knows and nobody cares blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with cornet, piano, and harmonica vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73761 10-in. 11/12/1925 Give me just a little of your time Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with cornet, piano, and harmonica vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73773 10-in. 11/23/1925 I'm gonna hoodoo you Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance quintet vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 73774 10-in. 11/23/1925 Your going ain't giving me the blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance quintet vocalist, contralto, songwriter  
OKeh 73775 10-in. 11/23/1925 What more can a monkey woman do Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73778 10-in. 11/24/1925 Some of these mornings Harry's Happy Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73779 10-in. 11/24/1925 Yes sir, that's my baby Harry's Happy Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 73780 10-in. 11/24/1925 Alabamy bound Harry's Happy Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quartet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74062 10-in. 3/24/1926 You don't want me, honey Eddie Heywood Sr. ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74063 10-in. 3/24/1926 That dance called "messin' around" Eddie Heywood Sr. ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74064 10-in. 3/24/1926 The last time Eddie Heywood Sr. ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74065 10-in. 3/24/1926 Don't never figure Eddie Heywood Sr. ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74066 10-in. 3/24/1926 What's the matter now? Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74067 10-in. 3/24/1926 I want every bit of it—I don't like it second hand Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74072 10-in. 3/25/1926 Brother Ben Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74073 10-in. 3/25/1926 The prisoner's blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74074 10-in. 3/25/1926 Careless man blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74075 10-in. 3/25/1926 How could I be blue Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74335 10-in. 9/5/1926 A glass of beer, a hot dog, and you Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74336 10-in. 9/5/1926 Look out, Mr. Jazz Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74337 10-in. 9/5/1926 Numbers on the brain Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh 74338 10-in. 9/5/1926 Shipwrecked blues Sara Martin ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80700 10-in. 4/6/1927 Where shall I be? Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver ; Hayes B. Withers Mixed vocal trio, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80701 10-in. 4/6/1927 I'm gonna wait on the Lord Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver ; Hayes B. Withers Mixed vocal trio, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80702 10-in. 4/6/1927 There's plenty room 'way in the Kingdom Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver ; Hayes B. Withers Mixed vocal trio, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80703 10-in. 4/6/1927 I am happy in Jesus Sara Martin ; Sylvester Weaver ; Hayes B. Withers Mixed vocal trio, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80704 10-in. 4/7/1927 Gonna ramble blues Sally Roberts Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80705 10-in. 4/7/1927 Teasing brown blues Sally Roberts Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80712 10-in. 4/9/1927 Cushion foot stomp Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80713 10-in. 4/9/1927 Take your black bottom outside Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W80727 10-in. 4/13/1927 Guitar rag Sylvester Weaver Guitar solo composer  
OKeh W81292 10-in. 8/30/1927 Loving is what I crave Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with guitar lyricist, composer, vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W81293 10-in. 8/30/1927 Useless blues Sally Roberts ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W81294 10-in. 8/30/1927 Black hearse blues Sally Roberts ; Sylvester Weaver Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W81295 10-in. 8/30/1927 Orn'ry blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, contralto  
OKeh W81317 10-in. 9/6/1927 The last time Louis Armstrong ; Hot Seven Jazz/dance ensemble, with male vocal solo composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Martin, Sara," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109156.

Martin, Sara. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109156.

"Martin, Sara." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109156

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