Think About It!
Many performers during the 20's were not allowed to stay in the hotels they performed in due to segregation and discrimination laws. How did Bessie Smith and many other performers over come this obstacle?
History of the Blues
The blues originated from African slave songs from the south. After the Civil War and the emancipation, freed slaves and trouble finding work to support their families. The began to sing songs of trouble and hardship that mimicked their life experiences. As blacks began to migrate to the north they took their songs of hardship with them developing a new sound called the blues.
In the 1920s, the blues was often seen as a source of "race pride," a movement that enabled blacks to take pride in their ancestry and elevate their status in American society (pbs.org). In order for popular record companies to sell music developed and created by blacks they had to create marketing categories called "race music" for blacks and "hillbilly music" for whites.
In the 1920s, the blues was often seen as a source of "race pride," a movement that enabled blacks to take pride in their ancestry and elevate their status in American society (pbs.org). In order for popular record companies to sell music developed and created by blacks they had to create marketing categories called "race music" for blacks and "hillbilly music" for whites.
Understanding the 12 -Bar Blues
The 12-bar blues. is the most common musical form of blues. The "12 bar" refers to the number of measures, or musical bars, used to express the theme of a typical blues song. Simply speaking the blues has an "AAB" type of pattern. Click the picture below to learn more about the blues pattern and to create your own blues song.
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith also known as the Empress of the Blues was very successful during the 1920's. Bessie was discovered on the streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee performing with her brother to help raise money for her family. In 1912 she was hired by a group of traveling entertainers known as the Rabbit Foot Minstrels (TNHistory).
Ma Rainey
Gertrude Pridgett better known as Ma Rainey became famous during the 20's by incorporating the blues in to her minstrel acts.
Big Bill Broonzy
William Lee Conley also known as Big Bill Broonzy moved from the south to Chicago with his parents to Chicago as a teenager in 1920. He learned to play the guitar from older bluesmen like Papa Charlie Jackson. Broonzy began recording
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Lemon Jefferson born in Coutchman, Texas was a wandering blues singer throughout the South. He eventually made his way to Chicago, Illinois and became popular on the Paramount record label in the late 1920's (bio.com).