1987, with songs including "They Call Me Miss Thang" and "Middle Age Blues Boogie". The following year, Adegbalola became a full-time blues performer and in 1990 the band recorded its first album for Alligator Records, and they won the "Song of the Year" W.C. Handy Award for their song "Middle Age Blues Boogie". During the 1990s, Adegbalola held workshops on various aspects of blues music and worked as a blues music reporter for the World Cafe program on National Public Radio. In 1998, she co-founded the Steering Committee of the Blues Music Association. Her first solo album, Bitter Sweet Blues, was recorded in 1999. In addition to her own original compositions ("You Don't Have to Take It (Like I Did)," "Big Ovaries, Baby" and "Nothing's Changed"), the album had cover versions of songs by Bessie Smith, Smokey Robinson, Ma Rainey and Nina Simone. Adegbalola was nominated for two Outmusic awards in 2005. Adegbalola's song "Big Ovaries, Baby" was used in episode 23 of The War On Democracy! podcast. Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women disbanded amicably in 2009, but Adegbalola continues to pursue solo projects. Adegbalola was honored as one of the Library of Virginia's Virginia Women in History for 2018. Personal life In 1992, Adegbalola was diagnosed with uterine and cervical cancer, and fortunately she eventually recovered. In 2000, in a short piece on her work and career in The Advocate, Adegbalola came out as a lesbian. She had been with her life partner, Suzanne Moe since 1991. In the late 1960s when she was living in Harlem Adegbalola married Olumide who was at the time the manager of the original Last Poets. Her son, Juno Lumumba Kahlil was born in 1969, and later made his own mark in the goth/industrial music world. Soon after, Adegbalola and Olumide divorced. Her surname, Adegbalola, was given to her by a Yoruba priest she met in 1968. The surname translates to "I am reclaiming my royalty," and Gaye uses the name to signify her pride in her black heritage. Discography Bittersweet Blues (1999) Neoclassic Blues (2004) With Roddy Barnes Blues Gone Back (2006) With Juno Lumumba Kahlil aka DJ Blacula – The Junabomber Gaye Without Shame (2008) Blues In All Flavors (2012) Parents' Choice Gold Award in Music The Griot (2019) Is It Still Good To Ya? (2019) References External links Gaye Adegbalola's official website Official website of Saffire The Uppity Blues