HISTORY OF BLUES Intersession: Popular Music

Early Blues  Early blues music had its roots on Southern plantations.  Many of its lyrics and rhythms come from slave songs and West African culture.  The term “blues” most likely has its origins in the indigo plant that was used to dye clothing blue for funerals.  Early blues artists include Robert Johnson, W.C. Handy, and Ma Rainey.Ma Rainey  The earliest known blues song was “Memphis Blues”. (W.C. Handy) “Memphis Blues”.  Blues often gets divided into two categories:  Rural-only a banjo or guitar  Urban- Full instrumentation Ma Rainey

Early Blues: Robert Johnson  Robert Johnson was born in 1911 in Mississippi.  Legend has it that he sold his soul to the devil to become the greatest guitarist alive.  He is widely regarded to be one of the most influential musicians of all time.  He was poisoned in 1938 by a jealous husband after Robert Johnson flirted with his wife.

Blues Explosion  During the 1950s the blues became “electrified” and began to work its way into popular music and culture with the beginning of Rock and Roll music.  The Great Migration of Blacks from the rural South to the urban North also lead to a change in Blues music from rural blues to urban blues.  Important artists of the time period include Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and B.B. King.

Rock Meets Blues  In the late 1960s many British and American Rock artists began to incorporate the blues more heavily into their music.  Muddy Waters toured the United Kingdom in the 1960s, he is credited with spreading the blues abroad.  This lead to a revival of important blues artists from the past, like B.B. King and Buddy Guy.  Important artists of this era include: The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Led ZepplinHendrix

1970s to the Present  Stevie Ray Vaughn had tremendous success during the late 1970s and 1980s until he died in a plane crash after playing a show in Wisconsin.  The Blues continues to influence guitar players of every type of music.  Today the influence of the blues can be heard in the music of the Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, and John Mayer (yuck!)the Black Keys  The Blues remains to be the root of all popular music.

HISTORY OF JAZZ Intersession: Popular Music

The Origins of Jazz  Jazz music is usually traced back to ragtime music made popular by Scott Joplin.  Jazz music developed its own distinct style, incorporating influences from blues, ragtime, classical music, and African rhythms.  Early Jazz musicians include Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden and Louis Armstrong.Louis Armstrong

The Jazz Age  During the Prohibition Era and the 1930s, jazz became the most popular music in the United States.  Jazz was key in bringing White and Black audiences together.  Swing music, a form of jazz was the dominant dance music of the time.  Key artists of the time include: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Benny Goodman.Billie Holiday

The 1950s – 1970s: Experimenting  Bebop:  Much more challenging and demanding music.  Point where jazz switched from dance music to an “art form”  Thelonious Monk, Charlie “Birdman” Parker, and Dizzy GillepsieCharlie “Birdman” Parker, and Dizzy Gillepsie  Cool Jazz:  Calmer and smoother than bebop.  Music to relax to.  Miles Davis & Art Blakey

The 1950s – 1970s: Experimenting  Free Jazz:  Inspired by bebop.  Not much structure, more experimental.  Charlie Mingus, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman  Experimental Jazz:  Incorporated different world musical styles.  Strange or non-traditional instruments  Miles Davis & Frank Zappa

Jazz & Hip Hop  Jazz has had a tremendous influence on many types of music, especially hip hop.  What is considered to be the “golden age” of Hip Hop sampled jazz heavily.  Artists include: A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Nas, Outkast, and Shabazz PalacesPete Rock & C.L. Smooth