Blues Music in Paris – A Guide

Discover the best places to enjoy live blues music in the City of Light, from the city’s iconic jazz clubs to more intimate venues.

The History of the Blues in Paris

The blues are a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities in the United States around the end of the 19th century. The genre has its roots in African American work songs and spirituals, and the music was initially performed by African American workers in the fields and on the plantations. The first recorded use of the blues was in a song called “Blue Tango” by Percy Venable, which was released in 1913.

The Origins of the Blues

The origins of the blues are a mystery. No one knows exactly when or where the blues began. However, we do know that the blues developed from the music of African Americans in the American South. This music was influenced by the music of West Africa and by European folk songs.

The first blues songs were probably sung by working men in the fields or on the streets. These songs were about their work, their problems, and their feelings. They used simple words and phrases, which were easy to remember. The songs were often improvised, or made up as they were sung.

The blues spread from the American South to other parts of the United States and to Europe. In the 1920s, blues singers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey became famous. They sang about love, heartbreak, and other aspects of life that everyone could relate to. People all over the world loved their music.

In the 1930s, a new style of blues called ‘swing’ became popular. This style was influenced by jazz music and featured Latin rhythms. Swing blues was happy and upbeat, and people loved to dance to it. Famous swing blues singers included Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

During World War II, many American soldiers were stationed in Europe. They brought with them their love of blues music. In Paris, they visited nightclubs where they could hear live blues music performed by French musicians. These clubs became popular with both soldiers and locals alike.

After the war ended, some of these American soldiers remained in Europe while others returned home to America. However, they all took with them their fond memories of hearing Blues music in Paris nightclubs. As a result, Blues music began to be performed in clubs all over Europe, including Paris

The Spread of the Blues

The Spread of the Blues
The blues spread north from the plantations of the American south in the early twentieth century, arriving in Chicago and then other cities as part of the ‘Great Migration’. Migrant workers took the music with them and it soon began to be heard in city bars and brothels. By the 1920s, blues was being played on mainstream radio stations and had begun to influence other genres, such as jazz.

In the 1930s, many blues musicians moved to Europe, especially to Paris, where they found an eager audience among bohemian fans of jazz and African-American culture. The arrival of these artists coincided with a renewed interest in ‘primitive’ art forms among European intellectuals, who saw in the blues a pure expression of emotion untainted by commercial concerns.

This view of the blues was popularized by American writer Samuel Fuller, who published a highly influential article on the subject in 1934. Fuller’s article helped to establish Paris as a center for blues music, and for many years it was common for American blues musicians to come to the city to perform.

Among the most famous of these artists were Sidney Bechet, Mezz Mezzrow, and Django Reinhardt. Reinhardt was a Belgian-born gypsy jazz guitarist who became one of the most celebrated musicians in Paris during the 1930s. His work had a major influence on subsequent generations of guitarists, including Les Paul and B.B. King.

The Paris Blues Scene Today

Paris has a long and storied history with the blues, going back to the early 1900s when the first expatriate Americans began arriving in the city. In the intervening years, the city has seen the likes of Django Reinhardt, Jimmy Giuffre, Sidney Bechet, and Miles Davis all make their mark on the genre. Today, the Paris blues scene is as vibrant as ever, with a number of clubs and bars hosting regular live music.

The Clubs

As the birthplace of jazz, it’s no surprise that Paris has a thriving blues scene. Whether you’re looking for a intimate club setting or a lively music festival, there’s something for everyone.

Some of the best blues clubs in Paris include:

-Le Caveau des Artistes: Located in the historic Montmartre district, this club has been host to some of the biggest names in blues including B.B. King and Buddy Guy.
-La Chope des Puces: This cosy club is located in the heart of the famous Marche aux Puces flea market and features live music every night.
-Le Duc des Lombards: This is one of the most popular jazz clubs in Paris, known for its high-quality program of local and international artists.

There are also many blues festivals held throughout the year, such as the Paris Blues Festival, which takes place every June, and the Saint-Germain-des- Pres Jazz Festival, which runs for two weeks in November.

The Music

The blues scene in Paris is very active, with a number of clubs and bars hosting regular live music. The music is mostly electric, as opposed to the acoustic style that is more common in the US. This is partly due to the influence of British blues-rock bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, who were hugely popular in France during the 1960s and 1970s.

There are a few clubs that specialize in acoustic blues, but most of the venues focus on electric blues. The most famous club in Paris for blues music is probably Les Trois Mailletz, which has been hosting live music since the 1950s. another popular spot is Le Bilboquet, which has a more modern décor and hosts both local and international acts.

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The Future of the Blues in Paris

It is said that the blues is a feeling, not a genre, and nowhere is this truer than in Paris. The city has a long and storied history with the blues, dating back to the early 1900s when pioneers like W.C. Handy and Jelly Roll Morton first brought the sounds of the American south to the city’s cafes and nightclubs. In the decades since, the blues has taken on a life of its own in Paris, evolving and blending with other genres to create a unique and vibrant sound that is all its own.

The New Generation

Even though the golden years of the Parisian blues scene might be over, there are still a few clubs where you can hear live music every night of the week. These days, the blues in Paris is more about the new generation of musicians keep the flame alive.

One of the most promising young bands on the scene is The Blue Bones. The band is made up of four friends who all share a passion for the blues. They met while they were studying at the Sorbonne University and started jamming together in their spare time. It wasn’t long before they realized that they had something special.

The Blue Bones have been gigging regularly around Paris for the past two years and they’ve already developed a devoted following. Their sound is a mix of traditional blues and modern influences. They’re not afraid to experiment with different genres and they often incorporate elements of rock, soul, and funk into their music.

If you’re looking for something a little different, then you should check out The Blue Bones. They’re breathing new life into the Parisian blues scene and they’re sure to have a bright future ahead of them.

The International Scene

The International Scene

The future of the blues in Paris looks bright, with a growing number of clubs and venues catering to the genre. The international scene is well represented, with American, British and Australian acts appearing regularly.

One of the most popular clubs is the New Morning, which has been hosting blues concerts since 1995. The club has seen some of the biggest names in the genre grace its stage, including B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy.

Another popular venue is the FDJ Blues Club, which is run by the French Musicians’ Union (FDJ). The club hosts regular concerts and jam sessions, and also has a shop where you can buy music and instruments.

If you’re looking for something a little different, you could try Le Petit Journalmontparnasse, which hosts a monthly blues night called “Le Bluegrass Show”. This is your chance to see some of the best up-and-coming talent in Paris.