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 the vocalist was a late bloomer who didn't turn professional until 1987, when she was creeping up on 40. Even then, she only began singing as a way to support her family with a second job. Bourbon Street in the Big Easy led to more than she had dreamed, ultimately landing her gigs in Europe and across the world, with stops in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Brazil. Her appearances in the U.S. include Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York, as well as Texas, California, Vermont, Colorado, and Florida.

Although she made a career out of music late in life, Wright actually began to sing much earlier, when she was nine years old. Like many artists, her first public singing efforts were heard in church, with her mother as her accompanist.

Marva In Review

1994 The White House-DLC

CBS
1991 Superbowl Special 1997 NFL Properties Party

1997 NFL
Commissioner’s Party

1993 World Olympics Summer Trials 1993

USA NETWORK
“The Big Easy Movie” 1996

1994 Role Model Award from the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans

Outstanding Female Artist
Links Organization 1992

Taratata TV Show
Paris France

1996 Big Easy Best Female Performer

1997 Best Blues
Vocalist/ Offbeat

Movie Debut with Antonio Banderas/Dir. “Crazy in Alabama”
to be released in 1999

Top honors in a school-sponsored singing competition followed. Later in life, she credited her mother, a piano player and singer in a gospel quartet, as one of her main influences. Mahalia Jackson, the esteemed gospel singer, was an early friend of the family. Early in 1989 during a live set at Tipitina's in New Orleans, Wright made her first recording, "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean." She made her debut on national television in 1991 when her hometown 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. She has sung backup for such artists as Allen Toussaint, Glen Campbell, and Joe Cocker. The long list of others Wright has performed with includes Harry Connick Jr., Bobby McFerrin, Aaron Neville, Fats Domino, Lou Rawls, and Marcia Ball.

~ Linda Seida, All Music Guide

Marva Wright's Family Page!

Children:

Gerry Alicia Martin McKey
Elizabeth Denise Martin Gainey
Jeanne Jeannetta Kelly Harris
James J. Kelly, Jr.

Grandchildren:

Sean McKey, Jr, 22
Lawrence Martin, 20
Mattie Martin, 19
Stephanie Martin, 18
Richelle Martin,15
Richard Martin, 13
James Kelly, III, 13
Halle McKey, 8
Sammy Kelly, 7
Olivia Kelly, 4
Dillon Charles, 4

Greatgrandchild

(1) One on the way - 2007

1 Brother - Deceased
Samuel Berfect, Jr.