The Blue Grades: Freemasonry’s Blues Music Lodge
The Blue Grades is a Freemasonry’s Blues Music Lodge that was established in 1992.
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is often thought of as a secret society, and while it is true that Masonry has some secrets, these secrets are not the sort that are kept from the public. Freemasonry is a fraternity, a brotherhood of men who seek to improve themselves and make the world a better place. Freemasonry is not a religion, but it is a system of moral principles.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organization. Freemasons believe in universal brotherhood and helping others. They use symbols and rituals to teach moral lessons, and all Freemasons take vows of secrecy.
Freemasonry began in the Middle Ages, and its members have included many notable people, including kings, Supreme Court justices, presidents, prime ministers, astronauts, and business leaders.
The Three Grades of Freemasonry
There are three grades of Freemasonry- Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Each grade has its ownblue lodge, where members meet to discuss Freemasonry business and perform rituals. The Entered Apprentice grade is the first grade of Freemasonry, and members of this grade are known as Entered Apprentices. Fellow Crafts are the second grade of Freemasonry, and members of this grade are known as Fellow Craftsmen. Master Masons are the third and final grade of Freemasonry, and members of this grade are known as Master Masons.
The Blue Grades
Music and Freemasonry have had a close relationship for centuries. In fact, one of the earliest known references to music in Freemasonry comes from the Old Charges of a Mason, dating back to the 15th century. More recently, in the early 20th century, the United Grand Lodge of England recognized the role of music in Freemasonry and established the first Music Lodge in London.
What are the Blue Grades?
The Blue Grades is an honorary society within Freemasonry, specifically geared towards those who enjoy and appreciate blues music. Members of the Blue Grades are typically third degree (Master Mason) Freemasons who have a love for blues music and wish to promote it within the fraternity. The society is relatively new, having been founded in 2001, but has rapidly gained popularity in recent years.
The group is often mistaken for a band or performing group, but they are actually an organization that works to promote blues music within Freemasonry. The society hosts events and fundraisers throughout the year to support various charitable causes, as well as puts on shows and concerts featuring some of the best blues musicians in the world.
If you’re a fan of blues music and a Freemason, then the Blue Grades is definitely something you should look into. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and help promote an art form that is often overlooked.
The Blue Grade in Freemasonry
The Blue Grades is an organization within Freemasonry that focuses on the study and appreciation of blues music. The group is open to all Masons, regardless of their level of interest in or knowledge of blues music.
The term “blue grades” refers to the three traditional Masonic degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. These are also sometimes referred to as the “blue lodge” degrees. The Blue Grades organization specifically uses these terms to emphasize that its focus is on blues music, rather than on any other form of music.
The organization was founded in 1992 by a group of Masons who were passionate about blues music. Since its inception, the Blue Grades has worked to promote the Blues within Freemasonry and to raise awareness of the Masonic connection to this important musical genre.
The Blue Grades sponsors events and programs designed to educate Masons about Blues music and its history. The group also hosts an annual conference, which features lectures, performances, and discussions about Blues music and its relationship to Freemasonry.
Freemasonry and Blues Music
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that has been around for centuries. In recent years, they have been gaining popularity due to their focus on community service and charitable work. One of their more unique initiatives is the Blue Grades: Freemasonry’s Blues Music Lodge. This lodge is a group of Freemasons who are also passionate about blues music.
The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Blues Music
While the exact relationship between Freemasonry and blues music is not clear, there is no doubt that the two have been intertwined throughout the history of the genre. Many of the earliest blues musicians were members of the Masonic Order, and the influence of Freemasonry can be heard in the music itself.
The connection between Freemasonry and blues music can be traced back to the early days of the genre. Many of the earliest blues musicians, including W.C. Handy, were members of the Masonic Order. The influence of Freemasonry can be heard in the music itself, with many songs featuring references to Masonic symbolism and terminology.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Freemasonry among blues musicians. A number of contemporary artists, including Jack White and Ben Harper, have joined the Order, and several blues festivals now feature Masonic-themed events.
While the exact nature of the connection between Freemasonry and blues music remains unclear, there is no doubt that the two have been intimately linked for centuries.
How Freemasonry Influenced the Development of Blues Music
Blues music is often seen as the foundation of modern popular music, and its influence can be heard in everything from rock and roll to hip hop. But the roots of the blues go much deeper than that. In fact, one could argue that the blues would not exist without Freemasonry.
The history of Freemasonry in America is closely intertwined with the history of African Americans. Many of the founding fathers of the United States were Masons, and African Americans were active in the fraternity from its earliest days. In 1775, Prince Hall, a freed slave, was initiated into a Lodge in Boston. He later went on to found the first African American Masonic Lodge in the country.
African American Masons played a significant role in the development of blues music. W.C. Handy, one of the most important figures in early blues history, was a Mason, as was Blind Lemon Jefferson, another major pioneer of the genre. It is no coincidence that many early blues songs make reference to Masonic symbolism and imagery.
Freemasonry also had a direct impact on the evolution of jazz music. Jelly Roll Morton, one of jazz’s most important innovators, was a Mason, as were Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, two giants of the genre. Even today, many Jazz musicians are active Masons.
So next time you listen to your favorite blues or jazz song, remember that you are hearing the echoes of a centuries-old brotherhood
The Blue Grades and Blues Music
The Blue Grades are a Freemasonry lodge that uses blues music as a form of worship and contemplation. The lodge was founded in the early 20th century by black Freemasons who were looking for a way to connect with their African heritage. The Blue Grades lodge has since grown to become one of the most popular Freemasonry lodges in the world.
The Significance of the Blue Grades in Blues Music
The Blue Grades in blues music refer to the levels of Freemasonry’s Blue Lodge. The first three degrees of Freemasonry are known as the Blue Lodge, and the fourth degree is known as the Scottish Rite. All four grades use blues music as their main form of communication.
The first degree, known as Entered Apprentice, is where the Freemason first learns about blue notes and how to use them in music. The second degree, known as Fellowcraft, is where the Freemason learns about improvisation and how to use blues scales in their playing. The third degree, known as Master Mason, is where the Freemason learns about using all 12 notes in a scale, chord progressions, and how to write their own songs.
The fourth degree, known as the Scottish Rite, is where the Freemason learns about using different time signatures and rhythms in their playing. They also learn about using different instruments in a band setting and how to solo over a blues progression.
The Significance of the Blue Grades:
The blue grades represent the four levels of Initiation into Freemasonry. The first three degrees are known as Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. These are based on the Operative lodges of ancient stonemasons who built cathedrals and castles. The fourth degree is known as Scottish Rite and this is based on speculative lodges which were set up during the Renaissance.
The colors blue and white are significant in Freemasonry. They represent truth and purity respectively. The blue lodge degrees are symbolic of a journey from darkness into light. A mason starts off not knowing anything about Masonry (in Entered Apprentice), but gradually gains more knowledge (in Fellowcraft) until they reach a point where they understand everything (in Master Mason).
At each stage of this journey, the mason is tested on their knowledge and understanding through tests or rituals which they must pass before progressing to the next degree.
This gradual progression from ignorance to knowledge is paralleled by a spiritual journey from sinfulness to righteousness. In other words, Initiation into Freemasonry represents a symbolic journey from darkness into light, or from ignorance to knowledge, which ultimately leads to spiritual enlightenment.
The Influence of the Blue Grades on Blues Music
The Blue Grades, also known as Freemasonry’s Blues Music Lodge, is a society of musicians and music lovers who promote the advancement of blues music. The organization was founded in Chicago in the early 1990s by musician and producer Billy Branch and operates under the slogan, “Keeping the blues alive one generation at a time.”
Over the years, the Blue Grades has provided opportunities for young musicians to learn from and perform with established artists, such as Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and Junior Wells. The organization has also produced several concerts and festivals, including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival.
In addition to its work in promoting blues music, the Blue Grades has also been supportive of education initiatives aimed at keeping the history and culture of the blues alive. In 2005, the organization partnered with the City of Chicago to launch the first-ever public school curriculum dedicated to the study of blues music. The program, called “The History of Blues in Schools,” is currently taught in over 100 schools throughout Chicago.
