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Down in Louisiana, Marva Wright is called the Blues Queen. Fans of her energy-filled performances, both live and recorded, call her a lot of other things, too, like "Marvalous Marva." The "bluesiana" numbers she favors are a strong showcase for her dynamic, gospel-rooted voice.

One listen would be enough to convince any newcomer of her strengths, which is surprising in light of the fact that she didn't turn professional until 1987, when she was creeping up on 40. Even then, she only began singing as a second job to support her family. Her singing career took her from Bourbon Street and the Big Easy and led her farther than she had ever dreamed, taking her all accross the four continents, as well as many U.S. cities.

Marva Started to sing when she was nine years old in church, with her mother as her accompanist. Top honors in a school-sponsored singing competition followed. She credits her mother, a pianist and gospel singer, and Mahalia Jackson, the esteemed gospel singer and a family friend, as two of her main influences. Wright made her first recording, "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean." at a live Tipitina's set in 1989. She made her debut on national television in 1991 when New Orleans was the setting for a special that revolved around the Super Bowl. Heartbreakin' Woman, Wright's first full-length release, appeared later that year and garnered honors from the Louisiana Music Critics Association as Blues Album of the Year. The Times-Picayune placed it among the year's Top Ten albums in the city.

The long list of others Wright has performed with includes Harry Connick Jr., Bobby McFerrin, Aaron Neville, Lou Rawls, Allen Toussaint, Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Fats Domino, and Marcia Ball.

~Linda Seida, All Music Guide