Here's the bio from the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.
-Joe Offer-

Blu Lu Barker

Vocals
Born: November 13, 1913 - New Orleans, LA
Died: May 7, 1998 - New Orleans, LA

In the 1930's and 40's Blu Lu was on top of the blues world performing with her legendary husband Danny Barker, Cab Calloway, and Jelly Roll Morton. Her seemingly shy but sultry voice influenced countless female artist and had such legends as Billie Holliday admitting "Blue Lu Barker was my biggest influence".

She was born to Louisa Hurley and August Dupont in New Orleans. Her father ran a grocery store and pool hall and during prohibition made a decent living selling bootleg liquor. When she was 13 years old she quit school and married the now legendary Danny Barker. In 1930 Danny and Blu Lu moved to New York where Danny again hooked up and performed regularly with Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Lionel Hampton, and Henry "Red" Allen. In 1938 Blu cut her first disc for the Vocalion Label. It was at that session that the producer pinned the name Blu Lu on Louisa Dupont Barker.

Several weeks later Decca Records auditioned Blu Lu and Danny Barker and the two recorded the now legendary "Don't You Feel My Leg". The two were immediately given a record contract and began to get national recognition. In 1946 Blu and Danny signed with the Apollo Label which at the time had Wynonie Harris, Dinah Washington, and Luis Russell on their roster. While with the Apollo Label the two recorded with the now legendary Charlie Parker. Danny Barker died in 1994 and was inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame in 1997.

Blue Lu Barker died in in 1998 and was inducted the year before she died.