From blues music came great artists, such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Bessie Smith, and others. But the blues might never have been created if it had not been for the influence of hollers, calls, and the changes that occurred in the lives of blacks. The evolution of the blues provides insight into the changes that took place in the lives of African Americans after slavery ended.
Because of its personalized form, the popularity of blues music among blacks marked a unique period in the history of secular African American song. Prior to the emergence of the blues, solo music was atypical. Such individualized song had never been the main ingredient of black music. Prior song consisted of field hollers, which served as a means of communication among plantation workers, and work calls, which were chanted by peddlers in Northern and Southern cities.
African Americans migrated north in the early 20th century, they brought the blues with them. Coming from New Orleans, black-butt pianist who played the blues in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, gave way to the Fast Western pianist who sang as they played, imitating Southern guitarists. Country singers joined the black-butt and the Fast Western pianist migration, and brought their style to Chicago, Detroit, and New York, where the classic blues singers united with the New Orleans and Fast Western musicians, and introduced their blues style in clubs, theaters, and dance halls.
The Classic Blues style was popular among newly arrived African Americans in the cities. The migration of many blacks to the cities gave them a new freedom from the church and community that had not been experienced in rural areas. Blacks demanded entertainment, and black theaters, dance halls, and clubs were opened. Women stopped singing in their churches and schools, and began to perform in theaters, clubs, dance halls, and vaudeville shows.
The first recording of the blues was in 1895. George W. Johnson's recording of "Laughing Song" was the first blues song to be recorded. Thereafter, blues songs began to appear in music rolls. The 1906 series of Music for the Aedian Grand, listed one blues title among the forty-nine music rolls.
The blues entered the forefront in 1920, when Mamie Smith's recording of "Crazy Blues" and "It's Right Here for You" became popular and opened the doors to other blues singers. The record was priced at one dollar and sold 75,000 copies the first month of release.
The market for the recorded blues was almost entirely black during the 1920s and 1930s, and the records became known as "race records." Record companies advertised exclusively to blacks and only black stores sold the records. As a result of Smith's success, record companies seized the opportunity to make a profit in the new market. Companies searched for talented blues artists, and singers such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, and Ethel Waters, became popular blues artists.
The popularity of the blues marked a new era for black music. It combined the styles of the past with a new type of song. The result was the creation of a style of music that would eventually contribute to the development of jazz.
About the Artist:
James Trotter Jr.is an american musician,producer,singer, writer,living in Italy.
I was born in Portsmouth,Viginia,June 18 1950.I grew up listening to the Blues.
My mother had the old 78 records and the 45's. She would play .. Sonny
Boy Williamson,Muddy Waters, Albert King,Howlin Wolf,John Lee Hooker
B.B. King,Bobby Bland and many others.
I never really thought about the music that much .. because it was such
an everyday part of my life growing up. Today! .. I'm very grateful for
that experience.
In high school I remember playing music of the Beatles,Cream,Doors,Kinks,Jimi
Hendrix,Yardbirds,Wilson Picket,Otis Redding,Sam and Dave,Junior Walker. I started learning to play guitar in 1964. I
played in garage bands in high school while growing up in Rochester,
New york.
One day .. a friend of mine who played Bass gave me a free ticket to go
see "The Jimi Hendrix Experience".A few weeks later i went see Soft Machine
.. with Alan Holdsworth .. that's when i knew i wanted to play guitar
seriously.
In 1972 I moved from New York to Los Angeles,(Venice)California
where i joined The Westministers, Who later auditoned for Barry White
at twentith Century Productions on The Sunset Strip in Hollywood.The
Band was later invited into the Studio to listen to pre release of
"Never Gonna Give You Up". That was an incredible period for me.
That band broke up six months later, and i moved to Hawaii.
3 years later i joined the military. 20 years later i am retired and
became a professional musician,writer/publisher and perfom when i am not
writing new music. I remember seeing Luther
Allison in concert many years ago and seeing the "greatness" of the
blues,Well i got a chance to see Lucky Peterson for the first time and got inspired all over again.The "James Trotter Blues Band" is the present project and has signed with Vibra Records to distribute "Like That" an R&B instrumental,along with 7 other songs available for download at Junodownload.com.The JT&JT Funky Band is a new project and "THE BAND TO SEE" - "NO DOUBT"!
Download today! .. and Spread the word about "Like That"
"Che cos'è il NATALE? E' tenerezza per il passato, coraggio per il presente, speranza per il futuro. E' il fervido auspicio che ogni tazza possa strabordare di benedizioni eterne, e che ogni strada possa portare alla pace" (A.M.Pahro) * Un augurio di BUON NATALE e di BUONA VITA a te e famiglia *
Hello dear friend James ".... A merry merry CHRISTMAS and happy NEW YEAR let's hope it's a good one without any fear ...." (J.L.) with constant friendship * peaceful Christmas and good life * to you and at your family Giampiero
Thanks for your support of the last NLO concert the photos are now viewable on our myspace site. We are currently mixing the last 6 songs on our 17 track project. Look for it in stores in December 2009
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This is Mike Watert -- the Chief Engineer at Studio 8121 (www.studio8121.com). Just wanted to thank you for your support. Also wanted to let you know that in your search for a studio for your next project, here is one thing you need to remember that sets us apart from all the rest:
VIBE
Whether recording music, editing sound for picture, working on post-production, doing foley, recording ADR, or recording an audiobook -- the mood, feel, and flow of a session can have a tremendous influence over the success of a project.
The sleek and inviting design of Studio 8121 gives our sessions a very comfortable feel and creative tone. Instead of feeling trapped or isolated in the studio, the atmosphere created at Studio 8121 allows our clients to open up feeling liberated and inspired while they work. We also provide our clients with the care and attention that they need, which allows them to focus on performing, channel inspiration and function at their highest potential.
Hope to be working with you soon.
Mike Watert Chief Engineer Studio 8121 - Where Sound and Inspiration Meet! www.studio8121.com