What is Kansas City Blues Music?
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Kansas City blues is a type of music that originated in the city of Kansas City, Missouri. The style is a mix of blues, ragtime, and jazz, and is characterized by its use of the blue note.
The Origins of the Kansas City Blues
Kansas City blues is a type of blues music that originated in the Mississippi Delta in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The style is characterized by a laid-back, laid-back groove and a focus on the lyrics, rather than the guitar solos. Kansas City blues is often compared to Chicago blues, which is a more upbeat, faster-paced style of blues.
The city’s history with the blues
Kansas City’s history with the blues began in the early 1900s when migrating African-Americans from the Deep South settled in the city’s West Bottoms area. These new residents brought with them a love for the music they had grown up with, and soon Kansas City’s vibrant blues scene was born.
The Kansas City sound is a unique blend of blues, jazz, and ragtime that became popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The city’s clubs and bars were always filled with music, and some of the biggest names in blues history made their way through Kansas City at one time or another.
Today, the Kansas City blues scene is as strong as ever. The city is home to numerous clubs and festivals that showcase both local and national talent. If you’re a fan of the blues, Kansas City is definitely worth a visit!
The influence of jazz on the Kansas City blues sound
The Kansas City blues is a genre of blues music that developed in the mid-20th century in Kansas City, Missouri. The genre derives its name from its principal city of origin, and is also sometimes known as the “Westside Sound” or “KC Sound”.
Kansas City blues is characterized by a heavy reliance on call-and-response patterns, improvisation, and Swing rhythms. The style is often seen as a hybrid of the Chicago and Delta blues styles, and is also heavily informed by jazz.
The Kansas City blues scene was initially energized by the arrival of African-American musicians from the Mississippi Delta in the 1920s and 1930s. These migrants brought with them a distinctive style of blues that would come to be known as the “Kansas City Sound”.
The Kansas City sound was further developed by such local luminaries as Jay McShann, Walter Brown, Little Sonny Garner, Bernard Anderson, and Pete Johnson. These artists helped to define the genre and establish Kansas City as an important center for blues music.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the Kansas City blues scene continued to thrive due in part to the city’s vibrant jazz culture. Artists like Charlie Parker, Count Basie, and Joe Turner made significant contributions to the sound of the Kansas City blues during this period.
The Kansas City Blues would reach its height of popularity in the 1950s and 1960s with artists like Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, Sonny Kennerly, Pete Franklin, Bennie Smith, Albert King, Lowell Fulson, Otis Rush, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells
The Kansas City Blues Scene Today
The Kansas City blues scene is thriving and has been for many years. Thanks in part to the city’s rich blues history, there are now many clubs and venues that feature blues music on a regular basis. If you’re a fan of the blues, Kansas City is the place to be.
The city’s current blues clubs and venues
Though the city’s skyline and demographics have changed greatly since the glory days of the jazz and blues scenes, there are still plenty of places to enjoy some quality Kansas City blues. The city’s current blues clubs and venues include:
-The Blue Room
-Knuckleheads Saloon
-B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ
-The Tank Room
-The Folly Theater
-The Phoenix
The city’s annual blues festivals
The city’s annual blues festivals bring in top-notch musicians from around the world and attract thousands of fans. The KC Blues Society hosts several monthly events, including the popular First Thursdays concerts at Knuckleheads Saloon, which features local, regional and national touring acts. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, Check out one of the city’s many smaller clubs, where you can catch a band any night of the week.
The Future of the Kansas City Blues
The Kansas City blues is a type of music that originated in the city of Kansas City, Missouri during the early 20th century. The Kansas City blues is a unique blend of African-American and white musical traditions. The Kansas City blues has been a major influence on the development of other genres of music, such as rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
The city’s up-and-coming blues artists
As the birthplace of rock and roll, it’s no surprise that the Kansas City blues scene is thriving. The city’s up-and-coming blues artists are keeping the tradition alive, while putting their own spin on the genre.
The blues has always been about more than just the music. It’s about the stories and experiences that inspire the songs. And there’s no shortage of stories to be told in Kansas City.
The city has produced some of the most iconic blues musicians in history, including Charlie Parker, Count Basie, and Big Joe Turner. Today, there are a new generation of Kansas City blues artists who are carrying on the tradition.
One of the most promising up-and-comers is pianist Jon Cleary. Cleary was born in England, but he’s been living in New Orleans for most of his life. He’s been influenced by both cities, and it shows in his music.
Cleary is a master of New Orleans R&B, but he infuses his music with a healthy dose of Kansas City swing. He’s not afraid to experiment with different genres either. On his latest album, Dyna-Mite, Cleary takes on funk, soul, and even hip-hop. It’s an eclectic mix that works surprisingly well.
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, you should check out pianist Brian Culbertson. Culbertson grew up in St. Louis, but he’s spent a lot of time in Kansas City over the years. He even recorded his latest album, The BC Project: Live at Knuckleheads Saloon, at a Kansas City institution.
Culbertson is a true bluesman at heart. His piano playing is soulful and emotional, and his songs are filled with heartache and hope. He’s not afraid to experiment with other genres either. On The BC Project: Live at Knuckleheads Saloon he incorporates elements of funk, jazz, and even gospel into his Blues sound. It’s an exciting album that showcases Culbertson’s versatility as a musician.”
The city’s plans to preserve its blues heritage
Kansas City is home to a vibrant and thriving blues scene, and the city is committed to preserving its blues heritage. In recent years, the city has invested in a number of initiatives to promote and support the genre, including the Kansas City Blues Festival and the Kansas City Blueschallenge.
The city’s plans to preserve its blues heritage extend beyond just promoting and supporting existing artists. The city is also working to ensure that future generations have access to the genre by investing in programs that teach young people about the history and music of the blues.
One such program is the Kansas City Blues in Schools program, which was launched in 2016. The program provides free educational resources to teachers in the Kansas City area so that they can incorporate the blues into their lesson plans. The goal of the program is to introduce young people to the music of the blues and help them understand its importance in American culture.
The Kansas City Blues in Schools program is just one example of the city’s commitment to preserving its blues heritage. With continued support from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, Kansas City will continue to be a key player in keeping the blues alive for generations to come.
