American Blues originated on Congo Square in New Orleans where black slaves are performing their music that came from the heart of Africa.

They continued their performances on the plantations. Their songs tell of toiling at hard labor on plantations, mines, logging camps and railroad construction.

They created “blue note” and the role of the accompanying instrument as the second voice. Blues instruments were primarily the piano, harmonica and guitar.

Different types of Blues were heard in Mississippi, Texas, Virginia, the Carolinas (The Piedmont Blues) and Georgia.

Professional Blues singers included Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Clara Smith, Ida Cox, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson, and Blind Willie McTell.

With the advent of the electric guitar, Blues combos became very popular led by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Aaron “T-Bone Walker and the legendary B.B. King.

Another form of the Blues was developed by white performers, which became “hillbilly” music of legends like Jimmie Rogers.