Rosetta Reitz

Rosetta Reitz (1924-2008) was an American music historian, archivist, and record label founder whose tireless work preserving blues and jazz history significantly advanced knowledge and appreciation of women musicians. In 1978, Reitz founded Rosetta Records with the express mission of reissuing rare and out-of-print recordings by female blues and jazz artists whose contributions had been marginalized or forgotten by mainstream music history. Through meticulous research, careful restoration of original recordings, and scholarly liner notes, Reitz brought attention to extraordinary artists including Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and countless others whose cultural impact deserved greater recognition. Her archival work and record releases filled crucial gaps in musical historiography, making previously inaccessible performances available to new generations of listeners and scholars. Reitz's dedication to excavating women's voices from historical obscurity exemplified the broader feminist project of recovering and celebrating women's contributions across all fields. Her legacy continues through Rosetta Records' ongoing releases and through the scholars and musicians who have built upon her foundational archival work.