I think about Big Maybelle a lot. A queen of rhythm & blues, gospel, jazz, and blues largely forgotten. She was the first person to record “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” Big Maybelle had big hits with “Gabbin’ Blues,” “Country Man,” and “Candy.” 

There’s little footage of her performing live. In this clip from the documentary “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” about the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, we get to see Big Maybelle at the height of her fame- powerful, beautiful, joyful. She’s singing “I Ain’t Mad at You.”