Blues is a music genre originating from African-Americans in the Deep South around the 1860s. It integrates spirituals, work songs, and narrative ballads from African-American culture. A key element in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll, blues is characterized by call-and-response patterns, the blues scale, and chord progressions like the twelve-bar blues. Blue notes (flattened thirds, fifths, or sevenths) are essential, and blues shuffles or walking bass create a repetitive rhythm known as the groove.
Dov Hammer, harmonica player, recorded blues music from Chicago to Tel Aviv. St. Louis Blues played against the Avalanche. Predicted lineups and match previews available for the game.
Around 1901, Gate Thomas reported similar blues songs in southern Texas, contributing to the early documentation of blues music in the region.
In 1902, Jelly Roll Morton recalled first hearing blues music in New Orleans, and Ma Rainey remembered first hearing the blues in the same year in Missouri, contributing to the early documentation of blues music in the region.
In 1903, W.C. Handy first heard the blues in Tutwiler, Mississippi, marking his introduction to the genre that would significantly influence his career.
Between 1905 and 1908, Howard W. Odum performed extensive research, publishing an anthology of folk songs from Lafayette County, Mississippi, and Newton County, Georgia.
Between 1905 and 1908, Howard W. Odum published an anthology of folk songs from Lafayette County, Mississippi, and Newton County, Georgia, marking early academic interest in and documentation of folk music.
In 1908, the first publication of blues sheet music occurred, marking a significant step in the evolution of blues music from oral traditions to a more formalized and accessible form.
By 1912, the sheet music industry had published three popular blues-like compositions: "Baby Seals' Blues", "Dallas Blues", and "The Memphis Blues". This event precipitated the Tin Pan Alley adoption of blues elements.
In 1912, "Dallas Blues" was published and is one of the first published blues songs exhibiting the "AAB" pattern. This structure consists of a line sung over the first four bars, its repetition over the next four, and a longer concluding line over the last bars.
In 1912, Hart Wand's "Dallas Blues" was published, followed by W.C. Handy's "The Memphis Blues" in the same year. These publications were pivotal in the early popularization and formalization of blues music.
In 1914, "Saint Louis Blues" was published as one of the first blues songs exhibiting the "AAB" pattern. This structure consists of a line sung over the first four bars, its repetition over the next four, and a longer concluding line over the last bars.
In 1920, Mamie Smith's rendition of Perry Bradford's "Crazy Blues" became the first recording by an African American singer, marking a breakthrough in the commercial availability and recognition of blues music.
In 1920, Mamie Smith, a vaudeville performer, became the first African American to record a blues song. Her second record, "Crazy Blues", sold 75,000 copies in its first month, marking a significant commercial success for blues music.
In 1920, a record of blues music can be found in the recordings of artists such as Lead Belly and Henry Thomas. These sources show the existence of many different structures distinct from twelve-, eight-, or sixteen-bar.
In 1920, the vaudeville singer Lucille Hegamin became the second black woman to record blues when she recorded "The Jazz Me Blues", contributing to the early presence of female voices in recorded blues music.
In 1923, Kentucky-born Sylvester Weaver was the first to record the slide guitar style. The slide guitar then became an important part of the Delta blues.
In 1924, recordings were made by Lawrence Gellert, contributing to the documentation of blues music during this period.
In 1926, Victoria Spivey, also known as Queen Victoria or Za Zu Girl, began a recording career that spanned forty years, marking a significant contribution to the blues genre.
In 1927, Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Rising High Water Blues" was released, telling of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
In 1928, Tampa Red and Georgia Tom released "It's Tight Like That", a Hokum blues song celebrated for its comedic lyrical content and a boisterous, farcical performance style. It features a sly wordplay with the double meaning of being "tight" with someone, coupled with a more salacious physical familiarity.
From 1948 on, Chicago became a center for electric blues after Muddy Waters recorded his first success, "I Can't Be Satisfied". This event marked a pivotal moment in the development and popularization of electric blues in Chicago.
In 1949, John Lee Hooker's first hit, "Boogie Chillen", reached number 1 on the R&B charts, marking a significant milestone in his career and the popularization of his unique blues style.
In 1954, Sam Phillips discovered Elvis Presley, leading the Sun label to shift its focus to the rapidly expanding white audience and primarily record rock 'n' roll.
In 1958, Muddy Waters' tour in England significantly influenced local musicians such as Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies, who began to emulate his louder, electric style, ultimately inspiring the British Invasion of bands like the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.
In 1963, Amiri Baraka, who was known as LeRoi Jones at the time, published "Blues People: The Negro Music in White America", which was the first book about the social history of the blues.
In 1971, John Lee Hooker blended his blues style with rock elements on the album Endless Boogie, creating a unique musical style by playing with younger white musicians. The album showcases his innovative approach to blues music.
In 1972, the critically acclaimed film "Sounder" was released, prominently featuring music written and performed by acoustic blues artist Taj Mahal and Texas bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins. Mahal received a Grammy nomination for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture and a BAFTA nomination.
In 1980, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi released the film "The Blues Brothers", which featured many of the biggest living influencers of the rhythm and blues genre, such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, and John Lee Hooker. The band also began a successful tour.
In 1982, Z.Z. Hill's recording "Down Home Blues" was released on the Jackson-based Malaco label, unexpectedly contributing to the resurgence of interest in the blues among the African-American population.
In 1983, Stevie Ray Vaughan's recording "Texas Flood" was released, launching the Texas-based guitarist onto the international stage.
In 1984, Little Milton's recording "The Blues is Alright" was released on the Jackson-based Malaco label, unexpectedly contributing to the resurgence of interest in the blues among the African-American population.
In 1986, Robert Cray's album "Strong Persuader" was released, establishing him as a major blues artist.
In 1989, John Lee Hooker's popularity was revived with the release of the album "The Healer".
In 1998, the sequel to the Blues Brothers, "Blues Brothers 2000", was released, featuring a much larger number of blues artists such as B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Musselwhite, Blues Traveler, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jeff Baxter.
In 2000, the sequel to the Blues Brothers, "Blues Brothers 2000", was released, featuring a much larger number of blues artists such as B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Musselwhite, Blues Traveler, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jeff Baxter.
In 2001, Taj Mahal wrote blues for and performed a banjo composition, claw-hammer style, in the movie release "Songcatcher", which focused on the story of the preservation of the roots music of Appalachia.
In 2003, Martin Scorsese made significant efforts to promote the blues to a larger audience by asking famous directors such as Clint Eastwood and Wim Wenders to participate in a series of documentary films for PBS called "The Blues". He also participated in the rendition of compilations of major blues artists in a series of high-quality CDs.
In 2006, blues guitarist and vocalist Keb' Mo' performed his blues rendition of "America, the Beautiful" to close out the final season of the television series "The West Wing".
In 2012, episode 1 of "In Performance at the White House", entitled "Red, White and Blues" was hosted by Barack and Michelle Obama. The show featured performances by B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, and Keb Mo, among others.
In 2017, a study of the devil's role in the blues was published, called "Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil & The Blues Tradition".
Michelle Obama is an American attorney and author best known...
James Brown an iconic American singer songwriter dancer and musician...
The White House located at Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington...
Elvis Presley the King of Rock and Roll was a...
Clint Eastwood is an American actor and film director renowned...
Erykah Badu born Erica Abi Wright is a renowned American...
50 minutes ago Jordan Romano's Spring Training Move Leads to Game-Ending Double Play, Secures First Save.
50 minutes ago Clemente's family upset as Pirates replace his logo with alcohol ad at PNC Park.
51 minutes ago MiLaysia Fulwiley's Impact: Comparing Stats, Teamwork, and South Carolina's Basketball Roster
2 hours ago Caitlin Clark Joins Taurasi, Bird for NCAA Championship Alternate Broadcast: How to Watch
2 hours ago Pegula to face Kenin in all-American Charleston final after semi-final win.
2 hours ago Nick Castellanos focuses on control for a successful 2025 season with Phillies.
Bruce Pearl is an American college basketball coach currently head...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is a highly decorated American...
The Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed by...
Facebook is a social media and networking service created in...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is a celebrated American...
Cristiano Ronaldo nicknamed CR is a Portuguese professional footballer widely...