High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Matriarch of the Blues is an album by Etta James, released in December 2000 through the record label Private Music. The album`s title reflects James` nickname as "matriarch of the blues". Marking James` return to blues following attempts at country music and jazz and pop standards, the album consisted primarily of rhythm and blues covers. James` sons, Donto and Sametto, are credited as engineers, mixers and producers, among other contributions; the album features Mike Finnigan on the Hammond organ, guitarist Leo Nocentelli, and performances on multiple instruments by Jimmy Zavala.