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The blues emergerd from African-American communities in the US. It developed from work songs, field hollers, rhymed ballads and spirituals. It is a music of vocal and instrumental form based on use of the blue notes. The blue note in Jazz and blues, is a note sung at a slightly lower pitch than the major scale, this is done for expressive purpose. It is impossible to find the exact origins of the blues as it developed over a long period of time and forms of the music appeared before the term 'The Blues' was commonly used. Work songs and hollers from slaves are an important part of the development of this music.  The blues has influenced Western popular music and has become the roots for Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Bluesgrass and in the sixties blues rock appeared and is a combination of various forms of rock and roll.
"Dallas Blues" written by Hart A. Wand, is cited as the first true blues song ever published. It has been recorded by a number of artists, including Louis Armstrong, Wilbur Sweatman's Jazz band and Bob Fuller. "When your money's gone, friends have turned you down, And you wander 'round, just like a hound (a lonesome houn'), Then you stop to say, "Let me go away from this old town (this awful town)"
Ma Rainey is one of the first professional blues and claims to have coined the term the blues (born April 26, 1886, died December 22, 1939). She was billed as The Mother of the Blues and did a great deal to popularize the form and was a huge influence to younger female blues singers. AuthenticBlues.com recommends visiting the Music Maker Relief Foundation who have been aiding forgotten heroes and pioneers of Southern musical traditions. There goal is to help musicians achieve their musical aspiration. Helping keep the bluest of the blues alive.  Music Maker Relief Foundation |
B. B. King (born on September 16, 1925) is a blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. Considered by many as one of the guitar greats and Rolling Stones magazine have named him the 3rd greatest guitarist in the top 100 list. 
Chuck Berry (born October 18, 1926) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Chuck Berry is one of the pioneers of rock and roll music and although no single person invented it, he came the closest to putting all the pieces together. 
T-Bone walker (May 26, 1910 - March 5, 1975), was a blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and is considered one of the most important pioneers of the electric guitar. He set standards in blues and blues guitar that are still followed today.
Robert Cray (born August 1, 1953) started playing guitar in his early teens and his love for blues and soul grew. He was signed to mercury records in 1982 and his third album, Stong Persuader, received a Grammy Award
