Oh, Cry Me a River by Peyton Bolling

The Era of Blues Music and Its Impact in the Black Community

Blues is the expression of sad emotions. It is conveyed through the artist. Blues is a form of music that began in the early 1920s in the deep South along the Mississippi River. Its formation was during the time of the Jim Crow Laws. It stemmed from Negro Spirituals which were sung by slaves in the form of call-and-response, patting jumba etc. Blues is a of secular music that consist of various elements of ragtime music – multi-rhythmic genre. Blues is a genre that is seen to be diverse and dynamic. There are no set patterns or instruments or rules for the genre. Yet, all Blues music were made having a single chord, deep bass line and expressing sadness through a story. Just a few of the types of instruments used in blues were the guitar, harmonica, piano, bass guitar, acoustic drum set, electric guitar and upright bass.

 

In the 1920s, Blues was not recognized by the Caucasian population and was deemed as a lower form of art. It was seen as an escape from any hardships that many individuals within the black community endured. The Blues was accessible music to anyone no matter their status. It was associated to be a genre that allowed individuals to feel good. The black community was able to use the Blues as a way to create their own culture of music which later became the driving force in music decades later. The Blues has played a major roll for individuals during the civil rights movement and segregation.

 

The different styles of blues music were: Chicago Blues, Delta Blues, Country Blues, Texas Blues, Classical Female Blues, Twelve-Bar Blues, Jug Band, Memphis Blues and Gospel Blues. Blues are most commonly recognized for being performed in clubs and bars. Blues has had a big influence on Popular music within the last century. The role of Blues within other genres of music signifies the importance of blues and its way of combining sadness with pleasure. 

"The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits. It's better keeping the roots alive, because it means better fruits from now on. The blues are the roots of all American music. As long as American music survives, so will the blues."

Little Walter
He was born in Louisiana. He plays the Harmonica and played a key role in the contribution to Muddy Water's music. Walter transformed the blues by increasing the harmonica's prevalence during this era.
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Willie Dixon
Dixon was born in Mississippi. He was named "The Poet Laureate of the Blues" and "The Father of Modern Chicago Blues". He played a major role in shaping the Chicago Blues music.
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B. B. King
King was born in Mississippi. He was known as "the King of Blues". He displayed Blues for a worldwide view. His name stands for Blues Boy King (B.B.K).
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