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American Civil War and Origins of Blues
In the 19th century, many African people were taken to South America as part of the slave trade, and were sold and forced to work on plantations and other labor jobs. After the American Civil war (1861 - 1865) these slaves gained a relative amount of freedom, and had access intruments and had freedom to play. -
American Civil War and Origins of Blues HS
Initially, blues started off as small songs from African culture that slaves would sing while working. After the civil war, some slaves gained a little more freedom and were able to play their songs freely, as well as add instruments. At this time, the blues evolved and became its own new style of mixed African and European cultures. This likely wouldn't have occoured if it weren't for the slave trade and Civil War, and blues would look and sound much different. -
American Civil War and Origins of Blues Pt. 2
The blues were born from the work songs and religious songs that were sung on plantations, and is heavily influenced by the oppression, discrimination, and slavery that happened and was still present in some areas. The instrumentals consisted primarily of electric guitar, harmonica, and vocals. The picture attached depicts two slaves with a guitar and homemade bass guitar made of a cigar box. It shows the early stages of what would become blues, and how slaves had very little access and freedom. -
Delta Blues HS
The Delta Blues were very significant, as they influenced the sound of blues heavily. Robert Johnson (as mentioned previously), John Lee Hooker, David Edwards, and others of their time and area made blues sound the way it does. Delta Blues also contributed to the popularization of blues, because the style was liked and shared amongst many people. -
Mamie Smith's First Recording
One of the first recorded blues songs was “Crazy Blues”, recorded in the 1920s by Mamie Smith. The original "Crazy Blues was written by Peter Bradford, but her version became a hit amongst the original and many other covers. Her music was so popular that OKeh record labels produced a series called “Original Race Records” that was promoted to black communities and black-owned newspaper companies exclusively. -
Mamie Smith's First Recording HS
Mamie Smith's recording of "Crazy Blues" was important for African Americans and blues music. Her recording became so popular that white-owned news companies and white-owned producing companies began to show interest. From there, many African American musicians such as Louis Armstrong and King Oliver were signed, and blues/jazz became very popular all around America. This also ccombined blues/jazz with other popular styles that were primarily popular with the white population. -
Delta Blues
One of the first recorded blues styles was delta blues in the 1920s. It came from the Delta in Mississippi, a harsh plantation suffering from poverty. At this time, the majority of the south was technically free, but certain laws and social aspects made life and opportunity very unfair for African Americans. Robert Johnson (image) was one of the most influencial blues musicians, growing up in the Mississippi Delta. He was an influencial singer and guitar player who helped to shape blues music. -
Popularization of Blues Pt. 2
This popularization of blues also birthed jazz and jazz-blues because it was mixed with audiences and musicians that altered the style and created new genres. Specifically, jazz came from a combination of African blues, and European music. -
Popularization of Blues
The Original Race Records was so popular that white producers began exploring the style and signing many other musicians such as Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Ida Cox, and Alberta Hunter, who recorded for Columbia and Paramount. Clarence Williams signed with Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Lonnie Johnson for many years, and helped to spread the style to audiences that would’ve never seen the music or culture previously. -
Popularization of Blues HS
The populariaztion of blues was important for African Americans because it presented oppurnity for them to make a career and be recignized for their music. It also allowed African Americans to use their music to fight for social change. Because the blues had gathered such large attention, it could be effectively used as a mediator for change. -
Great Depression HS
The Great Depression was very important for blues music. When the Great Depression occoured, many African Americans moved north in search of employment and oppurtunity. This combined blues with different styles such as white folk, and different styles of jazz. It also changed the instruments that were used, and piano became a lot more popular then the traditional bass and drums rhythm. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression and World Wars dispersed blues geographically because many African Americans moved away from the south to northern cities. This introduced the blues to modern culture, and made an urbanized version of blues. The lyrics were influenced by a more urban environment, and the instrumentals were combined and fused with other popular northern styles. -
Civil Rights Movement
Similarly to today, blues music addressed world problems and fought for change, more specifically fought for equality and against discrimination. “We Shall Overcome” by Mahalia Jackson became ocular for the movement. “Selma March” by Grant Green represented the Selma March for voting rights in 1965 (image). Blues music also helped those affected heal and overcome the trauma from the past, and helped them move forward. -
Civil Rights Movement HS
The blues' link to the Civil Rights Movement is historically significant because it was used as a major tool to help fight for change, and to help heal those effected by the causes being faught for. “jazz speaks for life. The blues tell the story of life’s difficulties — and, if you think for a moment, you realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music.” -Martin Luthar King -
Civil Rights Movement HS Pt. 2
The blues' impact on the civil rights movement also demonstrates continuity in how music is used to fight for political/social changes and raise awareness. In this case the blues were used to fight for equal rights and anti-discrimination. However, many artists now and in the past, have used their music to fight for change in subjects that they are passionate about. Music has been used to protest anti-war, womans rights, LGBTQ rights, and anti-descrimination, Woodstock 1969 being a good example. -
Blues and Rock
The instrumentals and progressions that early rock and roll consisted of was heavily influenced by blues. Many artists such as Eric Clapton, The Beatles, and The Doors were inspired by blues style music. Some artists even copied lesser known blues artists and took credit for the music. One of the most prominant examples being "Hound Dog" by Ellie Mae, which was taken and covered by Elvis Presley, who recieved majority of the credit and popularity. -
Blues and Rock HS
The first rock and roll artists and songs were the basis and influence of many other artists to come. Hair metal, grunge, pop, and EDM are all genres that stem off of rock. In addition, rock developed its own sub-categories, such as classic rock, synth rock, punk rock, alternate rock, indie rock, etc. Needles to say, rock and roll influence almost all music that we are familiar with today, and rock was influenced heavily by the blues. You can hear elements of blues in many modern songs. -
Blues and Hip-Hop
Hip hop has been widely related to blues, but it's less known as to why. Hip hop as music is less related to blues than hip-hop as a culture. Hip hop was not born as a style or genre of music, but it was created in a similar way that of blues; a way to fight back in a time of opression and discrimination. In the 1980s, African Amerians had much more legal equality, but that was just on paper. In reality, African Americans still suffered from discrimination and social/economical inbalance. -
Blues and Hip-Hop HS
Hip hop culture shows clear contuinity as to how music (specifically, the blues) was used to fight against social injustice. Both the blues and hip hop were used to fight discrimination against African Americans, using primarily lyrics to communicate a message. The music was also used to heal those affected in both cases, and used to memorate those affected and events such as protests that took place.