'Godmother of rock and roll' inspires young pianist

The influence of Sister Rosetta Tharpe can be heard in the work of some of the greats of rock and roll - from Elvis to Johnny Cash - but has largely gone unrecognised by the general public.

The story of Tharpe herself is being brought into the spotlight in a West End play - Marie and Rosetta, starring Beverley Knight.

A young Londoner, passionate about telling the stories of female African American musicians, has made her debut in the show.

Pianist Mia Odeleye reached the final of Channel 4's The Piano after auditioning at Liverpool Street Railway Station.

She 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."

The 19-year-old from Wandsworth has been playing the piano since she was seven,

growing up in a house with an "old beat up piano".

Her mother used to play, which gave her the courage to give it a go for herself.

"My mum was honestly my biggest inspiration, I wanted to be as good as her."

Once Odeleye had her lessons, she stumbled across some African American classical musicians on Youtube that she was inspired by.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Born in 1915, Tharpe was an American guitar player and gospel and blues singer who was popular in the 1930s and '40s.

She sang traditional gospel songs with contemporary jazz tempos that she played on her electric guitar. With these performances, she introduced gospel into nightclubs and concert venues.

Her work influenced early rock and rollers such as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.

in 1938 she began performing at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, where she focused on jazz songs and became a hit with the predominantly white audience.

That year she signed a recording contract with Decca Records.

She spent most of her later years touring in Europe. In 1964 she participated in the Blues and Gospel Caravan, which was filmed as a television special. Although suffering from ill health in the early 1970s, she continued to perform up to her death in 1973.

Odeleye won Wandsworth Musician of the Year in 2022, and later auditioned for The Piano at Liverpool Street Station.

She said she "wasn't expecting anything from it" but her time in the programme became "one of the most magical times" of her life.

"It was amazing to meet all the people from different backgrounds who wouldn't have got to meet if it wasn't for being connected through that instrument.

"It was an unforgettable experience and I loved all the other contestants."

Odeleye was coached on the show by American singer-songwriter Jon Batiste to help prepare for her final performance.

"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."

The play, Marie and Rosetta, opens in Mississippi in 1946 with the titular characters a new double act rehearsing for their tour.

The audience learns about their challenges, life and love along the way.

Starring alongside Beverley Knight is Ntombizodwa Ndlovu as Marie Knight.

Ndlovu said: "It's great to have two strong female leads, they feel so real and tangible."

Knight added: "Rosetta sits on the Mount Rushmore of the founders of rock and roll, alongside the names we know."

Dr Samantha Ege, pianist and music historian said Odeleye's performance in The Piano "shone a massive light on the Black women in classical music who came before her".

She said: "The history of Black women in classical music runs deep.

"Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, and Rosetta Tharpe are all part of this rich tapestry of Black women who transformed musical culture as we know it.

"Their creative lives took shape in a racially segregated United States... but despite living in a world shaped by colour lines and gender barriers, their music brought people together.

"Mia understands that power and channels it in everything she plays."

Odeleye said she believed shows like Marie and Rosetta "definitely need to happen more".

"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 am very glad I get to be part of that."

Marie and Rosetta is playing at Soho Place until 11 April.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk