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'''.    THE QUEEN OF THE SEPIA BLUES Mata Roy Pryor '''   Mata Roy Pryor was a multi talented entertainer who performed from coast to coast for over forty years. From the thirties through the seventies, her talent and wit brought joy to multitude of

Mata Roy Pryor was a multi talented piano, organ & vocalist entertainer who graced the Midwest,Canada and even Hollywood. Born to a family of talented musicians in 1912, she excelled in musicianship early in her life. By the age of 16, she had her own radio show in Atlanta.

As her talent grew, she moved to the Chicago area and enrolled at the American Conservatory School of Music. As a multi talented entertainer, she performed as a Type to enter text singer, piano player, and organist.

In 1933 she married and they had a daughter Julie Ann. Mata Roy was able to juggle family life and still continued her career playing with various groups. Among those groups was the well known Jimmy Noone Orchestra. By 1943 she had found her way to California and performed at many clubs in and around Los Angeles. The venues varied from large to small and included such names as the Central Avenue, The Last Word, and Shep’s Playhouse. Her talents did not go unnoticed and she landed roles in a couple of Hollywood films. Her filmography included “I love a band leader” 1945 starring Phil Harris & Eddie Anderson (Rochester from the Jack Benny show.) In 1946, she performed in “A Tale of 2 Cafes”. During this period, she made a number of popular songs with a group called the Sepia Tones. The group included Mata Roy, Nina Russell, Camille Howard and Ginger Smock. A glowing review in an LA newspaper referred to the group as a sure hot for the classy clubs catering to Sepia groups. They commented on Mata Roy’s vocals as “torchy”. She recorded and performed a number of popular songs including Boogie no.1, Baby I’m True to You, and I Got To Put You Down. JSP Records (London) released Boogie no.1 & When he comes home to me in 1944 and sold over 70,000 records. By 1950, she had parted ways with her husband, but her career marched on.

Boogie number 1 is recorded on YouTube. Link provided below: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Sf_WU0TA2g4&si=0ST8r8b9PzaRj1S-

Reviews and Promos:

“Has blended a personality,melodious voice and charm with lively piano playing to provide quality entertainment “

“Scintillating stylist of piano and song”

“Queen of all Sepia entertainers. Star of radio, TV and screen”

“Talent personified. Another Lena Horne and Billie Holiday “

“Ought to be on TV in New York”

As her popularity grew, her performances became known throughout the United States and Canada. Either as a solo act, duet, or ensemble, her wit, her style and her charm shown through. From Chicago and Detroit to Los Angeles and San Francisco, she entertained audiences from the 40’s to the 70’s. Always on the move, her travels took her from Miami, Key West, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Arizona,NorthCarolina,Montana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Chicago, Detroit, Canada and Angola, In.

Around 1970, Mata Roy was introduced to a true gentleman by the name of Albert Pryor. Mr Pryor had an illustrious career as the head steward and bartender with New York Central railroads 20th Century Limited. Mr Pryor’s family owned a lodge in the area of the famed Fox Lake Resort near Angola. In 1971, Mata Roy became Mrs Albert Pryor. Still in demand, Mata Roy Pryor became a standard at the Holiday Inn in Angola and numerous other locations throughout the Midwest. Albert became a “roadie” and would transport her Organ and other items to her out of town performances. Not one to slow down, Mata represented Northeast Indiana in the Indiana State Fair Senior Queen Contest. A true shining star. Mata Roy was only 68 years old when she passed away. She died on August 21, 1981. Submitted by Gregory Chip Folck, Indianapolis, In.

2/22/24

Note: I had the good fortune to see Mata Roy Pryor perform at the Towne House in Angola. Even as a senior performer, she was an amazing entertainer.

I want to thank Mrs Pryor’s stepdaughter, Joy Parker for a great deal of this information. Albert Pryor was a wonderful man and I wish I had known him better.

Also a big Thank you to Isabel Folck for her archive diving skills. You are awesome!

References: Joy Pryor Parker, interview, Feb. 2024 Cook co. I’ll. Marriage license (Mattie Walker, James King) US Census, 1950 Billboard Magazine review, 3/11/1944 Playing Like a Man, women in Jazz, Bette Yarbrough Cox. The Evolution of Black Music in Los Angeles 1890-1955, Bette Yarbrough Cox LA Daily News, Los Angeles, Ca. 7/29/1943 The Post Crescent, 6/15/1953 Globe Gazette, 7/31/1950 Green Bay Press Gazette,1/5/1954 Iowa CityPress Citizen, 5/8/1952 The Daily Adviser, SW Louisiana,9/7/1951 The Daily Times, Rock Island, Il. 9/25/1952 Rapid City Journal, Ia., 12/21/1955 The Detroit Tribune, 6/9/1951 The Key West Citizen, 3/25/1954 Herald Times Reporter, Manitwoc,Wi, 4/10/1961 Concord Transcript, 9/27/1963 The Wibaux Pioneer Gazette,12/24/1953 The Miami News, 1/30/1954 Daily Calumet, Hammond, In., 3/29/1974 The Dearborn County Register, 8/14/1980 Marriage license 9/15/1972 (m. Albert Pryor), Angola, In. Death certificate 8/21/1981, Angola, In. The QUEEN OF THE SEPIA BLUES

Mata Roy Pryor