Who is Gladys Bentley?
Blues was a prominent musical genre in the early 1900s. African Americans are indeed the creators. This type of music introduced the “feeling” style. Folk music of this kind is frequently performed verbally or with a piano. The flow of the guitar and rhythmic methods like syncopation are what distinguish the blues as a distinct […]
Empress of the Blues: Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith: ‘Empress of the Blues’ The strong, soulful voice of jazz and blues vocalist Bessie Smith won her numerous fans and earned her the title ‘Empress of the Blues.’ Life of Bessie Smith At a young age, Bessie Smith started to sing and signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1923. She was […]
King of the Delta Blues: Robert Johnson
King of the Delta Blues: Robert Johnson Robert Johnson is the greatest artist in the history of Delta Blues. He expressed his talent through singing, playing the guitar, and writing songs. Although he received very little recognition in his lifetime, his music became an inspiration to so many artists that would come about. This is […]
Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey Who was Ma Rainey? Born Gertrude Pridgett on April 26, 1886, in Columbus, GA, Ma Rainey was the first popular stage entertainer to incorporate authentic blues into her song collection. Rainey was an inspiration for people like Langston Hughes. Rainey was on the first women to be involved in the Blues genre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfdi6n_WpS8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRyaUcVfhak […]
Modern Day Blues: Shemkia Copeland
Modern Day Blues: Shemekia Copeland Written By: Mauranne Vernier Thesis Blues began around the 1870s. That was over a century ago. However, the genre is still flourishing and thriving thanks to musicians like Shemekia Copeland, who embodies what it means to be a modern-day Blues artist. Background Shemekia Copeland was born in Harlem, New York […]
Muddy Waters: An American Icon
Muddy Waters: An American Icon The Blues Started in the south, the blues were a way African-Americans could express their sorrows and despair over racial segregation and oppression. Although started by African-Americans, the blues became something everyone could relate to in regards to having hardships. Muddy Waters was a legendary performer who changed the face […]
Pioneer of Blues: Alberta Hunter
Alberta Hunter Alberta Hunter was an underrated blues singer who didn’t garner celebrity status until much later. She was considered the upmost consistent blues singer due to the fact that she sung for practically the entire twentieth century, and all throughout her retirement. This post will describe Alberta Hunters life and her legacy on the […]
History of Blues within the Prison World: Jailrock Blues
A brief History of the greatest singers of the blues being exploited by white men.
Blues Review- Kendall Jones
The blues has deep roots in American history, particularly African American history. The blues originated on Southern plantations in the 19th Century. African Americans had a deep desire to move away from the sorrow songs of spirituals and transform into an upbeat sound of prosperity and power. Spirituals were associated with slavery and oppression, however, […]
Blues: Black Addition
Origin: Originated in the deep south during the 1980s, blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, shouts, and simple narrative ballads. Blues as a genre is also characterized by its lyrics, bass line, and instrumentation. Elements such as call- and- response and the use of blues notes can be traced back to the music of Africa and […]
