Co-found of Saffire women's blues trio dies in Va.

The Associated Press, Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 11:22am (PST)

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Pianist and vocalist Ann Rabson, co-founder of the trio Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, has died in Virginia after a battle with cancer.

Alligator Records says Rabson died Wednesday in Fredericksburg. She was 67.

Rabson recorded eight albums with Saffire and one solo CD for Alligator Records. She made three solo albums for other labels. A barrelhouse blues pianist, Rabson was also a songwriter and guitarist.

The native New Yorker moved to Fredericksburg in 1971 where she gave music lessons on the side. She and one of her students, Gaye Adegbalola, decided to perform together, launching what eventually would be Saffire. Andra Faye McIntosh rounded out the trio.

The trio disbanded in 2009 after 25 years of performing.

Rabson is survived by her husband, George Newman, her daughter and a granddaughter.