1. A BRIEF HISTORY OFA BRIEF HISTORY OF
THE BLUESTHE BLUES

2. IntroductionIntroduction
The Blues influenced...The Blues influenced...
 jazzjazz
 soulsoul
 rock and rollrock and roll
 urban folkurban folk
 country (western swing,country (western swing,
bluegrass and rockabilly)bluegrass and rockabilly)

3. Heritage of the bluesHeritage of the blues

4. Heritage of the bluesHeritage of the blues

5. Heritage of the bluesHeritage of the blues

6. Heritage of the bluesHeritage of the blues

7. DefinitionDefinition
 ““ The first time I met the blues, I was walking through theThe first time I met the blues, I was walking through the
woods/ He knocked at my house and done me all the harmwoods/ He knocked at my house and done me all the harm
he could”.he could”.
Little Brother Montgomery _ First time I met the BluesLittle Brother Montgomery _ First time I met the Blues
 ““Some people tells you the worried blues ain’t so bad/ ButSome people tells you the worried blues ain’t so bad/ But
it’s the worst feeling a good man most ever had.”it’s the worst feeling a good man most ever had.”
Robert Johnson - Walking BluesRobert Johnson - Walking Blues

8.  American blues singer andAmerican blues singer and
musician. A combination ofmusician. A combination of
singing, guitar skills, andsinging, guitar skills, and
songwriting talent thatsongwriting talent that
have influenced laterhave influenced later
generations of musicians.generations of musicians.
He died when he was onlyHe died when he was only
27.27.
Robert Johnson 1911 - 1938

9. The music of African AmericansThe music of African Americans
during slavery.during slavery.

10. “In the plantations,
black slaves used to
work singing...I
say...there is more joy
and hapiness to live
between slaves of the
South than in any
other population of
slaves or workers
around the globe”.
Daniel C. De Jarnette
Spiritual
Work songs

11.  Thomas Jefferson
described the musical
instruments used by
black people:
Banjo
Fiddle

12. The birth of The Blues
Charlotte’s Diary

13. The birth of The Blues
“ I came back from the
church with the
blues. I threw myself
on my bed and for
the first time since I
got here, I felt very
sad and very
miserable”.

14. Some representative artists ofSome representative artists of
The BluesThe Blues
 The first appearance of the word 'blues'The first appearance of the word 'blues'
in a piece of music was in the songin a piece of music was in the song "The"The
Dallas Blues"Dallas Blues" by Hart Wand inby Hart Wand in
March,1912.March,1912.

15. Charlie Patton 1885 - 1934Charlie Patton 1885 - 1934
 Guitar player and blues
singer. He had a deep
husky voice and stood out
because of the use of
elementary and primitive
harmonies and the
invention of an innovative
way to play the guitar.

16.  She was the most popular
female blues singer of the
1920s and 1930s . She is
often regarded as one of
the greatest singers of her
era and, along with Louis
Armstrong, a major
influence on subsequent
jazz vocalists.
Bessie Smith 1894-1937Bessie Smith 1894-1937

17. Blind Lemon Jefferson, Texas 1897 -Blind Lemon Jefferson, Texas 1897 -
Chicago 1929Chicago 1929
 American poet, composer,American poet, composer,
singer, and guitar player.singer, and guitar player.
The most known of theThe most known of the
early country blues.early country blues.

18. B.B.King, Mississippi 1925B.B.King, Mississippi 1925
 American blues singer andAmerican blues singer and
guitar player. Best playerguitar player. Best player
of electrified urban bluesof electrified urban blues
with influences of jazz.with influences of jazz.