Where Does Blues Music Originate?
Blues music has a long and storied history, and its origins can be traced back to the American South. There are many different theories about where exactly blues music comes from, but one thing is for sure – it is a truly unique and original form of music.
The Mississippi Delta
The exact origins of the blues are unknown, but the form is generally traced back to the Deep South of the United States, specifically the Mississippi Delta. The Delta is a region located between Memphis, Tennessee and Vicksburg, Mississippi that was historically known for its plantations and slave labor. It’s believed that the blues developed from the music of African American workers on these plantations.
The earliest recorded blues songs date back to the 1920s, but it’s likely that the genre developed long before this. The blues often incorporate elements of both African and European musical traditions, resulting in a unique sound that has influenced many other genres of music.
The Piedmont
The Piedmont is a region of the United States that extends from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Atlantic Coast in the east. It includes parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The Piedmont is home to a large population of African Americans, and it is thought that the blues originated in this region.
New Orleans
New Orleans is a major contributor to the origins of blues music. The city has a long and storied history with the genre, dating back to the early 1900s. The blues scene in New Orleans was largely shaped by two major figures: Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet.
Morton, who was born in New Orleans in 1890, is widely considered to be one of the first true jazz musicians. His unique style blended elements of ragtime, marching band music, and blues. Morton was also one of the first musicians to use improvisation in his playing.
Bechet, who was born in New Orleans in 1897, was a highly acclaimed clarinetist and saxophonist. He helped popularize the use of blue notes in blues music. Blue notes are notes that are played at a slightly lower pitch than the rest of the melody, creating a “bluesy” sound.
The influence of these two artists can still be heard in blues music today. If you listen closely, you can hear traces of their style in modern recordings.
