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Sister Rosetta Tharpe, often hailed as the “godmother of rock and roll,” has left an indelible mark on music history, influencing legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Despite her profound impact, her contributions have remained largely unacknowledged by many. Now, her story is receiving deserved attention through the West End production *Marie and Rosetta*, which features Beverley Knight portraying the iconic musician.
Among the cast is Mia Odeleye, a young pianist from London who made her debut in the show. Odeleye, who grew up in Wandsworth with a modest “old beat up piano,” has been playing since she was seven years old. Encouraged by her mother’s own piano playing, Mia found inspiration not only in her family but also through discovering African American classical musicians online. She gained wider recognition after reaching the final of Channel 4’s *The Piano*, having auditioned at Liverpool Street Railway Station. Reflecting on her experience, Mia said, “It is amazing to honour tell Rosetta Tharpe’s story every night, I can only hope what I’m doing is something she would enjoy.”
Born in 1915, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American gospel and blues singer, as well as a pioneering electric guitar player. She blended traditional gospel music with modern jazz rhythms, introducing gospel sounds to nightclubs and concert audiences. In 1938, she began performing at Harlem’s Cotton Club, where her jazz-infused gospel resonated with predominantly white audiences. That same year, she signed with Decca Records and went on to influence seminal rock and roll figures such as Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. Throughout her career, she toured extensively across Europe and took part in notable events like the 1964 Blues and Gospel Caravan TV special. Although her health declined in the early 1970s, she continued to perform until her passing in 1973.
Mia Odeleye’s journey has been shaped by her experiences both on and off stage. Winning the Wandsworth Musician of the Year award in 2022 was a stepping stone ahead of her *The Piano* audition. On the show, she was mentored by acclaimed American artist Jon Batiste, who helped her prepare for the final round. Describing their collaboration, Mia noted, “It was brilliant being mentored by Jon, it was an invaluable experience to be able to work with him. We were bouncing ideas off each other, it felt like quite a good creative process. He was really friendly.” Music historian Dr. Samantha Ege commended Mia’s contributions, saying she “shone a massive light on Black women in classical music” and highlighting how Black female musicians like Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, and Rosetta Tharpe shaped musical culture despite systemic racial and gender barriers. Odeleye herself emphasized the importance of productions like *Marie and Rosetta* in bringing hidden stories to light, stating, “These people have been so influential but have been hidden from common music history because of discrimination. We need to start bringing their stories back and I
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