Rosetta Howard

Rosetta Howard (August 30, 1913 – October 8, 1974)[1] was an American blues singer who recorded in the 1930s and 1940s.

She was born in Woodruff County, Arkansas, and later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she began her career by joining in with jukebox selections at the club where she worked.

[2] Beginning in 1937 she made a number of recordings with the Harlem Hamfats,[2] including her paean to marijuana, "If You're a Viper", and the ribald "Let Your Linen Hang Low".

The latter was noted by one music journalist as "Howard engaging Kansas Joe McCoy in sexy banter".

In 1939 she recorded with the Harlem Blues Serenaders, who included Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, Lil Armstrong, Henry "Red" Allen and Barney Bigard.