Blues

Great sounds with a sad origin. The word "Blue" is associated with melancholy or depression. African American slaves sang songs that reported from their privations and sufferings. Simple work songs gave the blues its basis, in which jazz, rock 'n' roll and soul music found its origins.

After the end of the American civil war, the field songs unfold to a music in which a singer is closely connected with her or his guitar. The so-called "call and response". He sings and the guitar responds. The black composer W.C. Handy laid the foundation for the popular blues. His publications "Memphis Blues" and "St. Louis Blues" found very well approval in between 1912-1914. The singer and pianist Mamie Smith recorded the first sung blues song "Crazy Blues" in 1920. The blues became more and more popular and had a strong influence on subsequent jazz movement. Initially blues was a male domain. In the "juke joints", pubs for African Americans in rural south-eastern United States, alcohol, gambling and prostitution were offered.

However, singers like Bessie Smith or Billie Holiday grew in popularity in the 20s and 30s and sold millions of records with their music. In the 30s and 40s blues spread increasingly to the north. Through the influx of many Black from the south the jazz big bands have their origins up here. In cities like Detroit or Chicago the Mississippi Delta Blues was extended by bass, piano, drums and harmonica.

B.B. King created his catchy guitar style in Memphis that combines the tonality of jazz with the instruments of the blues. The blues had a great influence on the music. In the 60s, urban artists, the so-called "Bluesmen" including bands such as the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and the Yardbirds brought the young white audience close to the blues.

Rock guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page used the blues as the basis for their individual style. The latest generation reached great success with its blues music in the 80s. Including Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood. Out of simple field songs a music style developed and influenced many subsequent music genres.