Blues Music originated in the communities of West African slaves on plantations in the Deep South. The slaves moved from the Mississippi Delta after gaining their freedom and gradually spread throughout the rest of the United States via Louisiana, Texas, and Memphis. These slaves and their descendants eventually migrated further North in search of better jobs and living conditions, and settled in cities such as Saint Louis, Chicago, and Detroit.

In the early days, Blues Music passed from musician to student and was never written down. This music was played on hand-made string instruments, harmonicas, and accompanied by hand clapping. By the 1920’s, guitars and banjos emerged as the dominant types of instruments used by Blues musicians. Around the same time, recordings of the music contributed to its growing popularity

The musical tradition introduced by the slaves spread across the country through their migration and was influenced by various local music styles such as Country, Jazz and, Ragtime. It was this combination that gradually evolved into different branches of Blues Music. By the mid 20th century, Blues had reached Europe and was particularly embraced in Britain by both musicians and young audiences. The Blues was absorbed and influenced by Rock Music. Subsequently, it lost its popularity as Rock and Roll emerged as the prominent genre of music across the world.

With the migration of the Blues across the United States and Europe, a variety of styles was performed by different artists around the world. These variations ranged from the Delta Blues of Son House and Robert Johnson, to the New Orleans, Texas, and Classic Blues. Classic Blues became popular in the 1920’s and was sung mostly by women such as Mamie Smith and Bessie Smith. Other styles included the Memphis Blues characterized by Vaudeville influences, the more urban sounds of the Chicago Blues as represented by the songs of Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters, and finally the Rock influenced British version performed by Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones and many of their contemporaries.

Blues Music is not as popular as it used to be but it remains a tribute to the hardships endured by the West African slaves as they strived to liberate themselves from slavery and move from the Deep South to cities across the country, in search of better jobs and a new life. It continues to be the foundation of most American types of music including Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll and even Hip Hop.