Muddy Waters is a legendary blues musician often referred to as the “Godfather of Chicago Blues”. His indelible legacy on blues music is hard to put into words. “When the Blues Hall of Fame conducted balloting for its first group of inductees in 1980, Muddy Waters received more votes than any other artist” (Jim O’Neal - The Blues Foundation).

Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield) was born on a plantation in Mississippi and initially played Delta blues, influenced by early pioneers such as Robert Johnson. But in 1943 he moved to Chicago and electrified his guitar and helped create the music we now call Chicago Blues. He had hit records over many decades and is highly decorated, inducted into the Blues and Rock n Roll hall of fame as well as receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1992. He inspired many generations after him with his incredible innovation and musicianship.

Watch him perform "Walking thru the park".

LaVern Baker was an inspiring performer and vocalist, and is one of our absolute favourite blues artists to dance to. You would have definitely heard her tunes in our classes! Like so many of the blues greats, she grew up singing gospel in church but then went on to master many styles of blues, jazz and R&B. She was a strong activist against white pop singers re-recording R&B hits to propel their own careers who were often backed by major record labels. 

She spent 20 years in the Philippines as the musical director of the USO shows for the US Marine Corps and after returning to New York City in 1988 began performing on Broadway and recorded soundtracks for multiple films. Despite significant health problems, Baker continued to perform and record up until her death in 1997. We honour Laverne Baker and her incredible courage and musical legacy.

Listen her to “Slow Rollin’ Mama” 

Introducing pianist Professor Longhair, who bathed his blues in what Jelly Roll Morton called "the spanish tinge".

The afro-cuban rhythms of the tresillo, habanera and son clave can be heard throughout much of Longhair's songs like "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" which is played each year during Mardi Gras.

Professor Longhair or "Fess" played with a soulful quality in his songs and influenced many artists after him such as Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Dr John.

We can't get enough of the tune "Young Bold Women" by the legendary James Cotton.

James Cotton was born in Mississippi and became a legendary, Grammy award winning blues artist, famous particularly for his harmonica playing. He worked with Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf and produced incredible blues music for 6 decades, sadly passing away only a few years ago in 2017.

What a legacy... here's "Young Bold Women", a great track to start off your morning right.

Born in Alabama in 1926 to a father who was Baptist minister and a mother who sang in the choir, blues and gospel music were foundational to Willie Mae Thornton’s childhood. A self-taught drummer and harmonica player, it was her singing in the style of Bessie Smith that got her noticed by touring gospel performers. After her mother died young, a 12 year old Willie Mae left home, joined the group and toured with them throughout the American South eventually settling in Houston, Texas where she recorded her biggest hit “Hound Dog” and later San Francisco, California. 

Big Mama Thornton’s music showcased her personal life experiences and challenged the social norms that were shared by many women and African Americans. Her story forever changed the blues and rock ‘n’ roll, paving the way for Aretha Franklin and countless other powerful singers to add their stories.

Here is a fantastic video of her singing her hit “Hound Dog” singing and playing harmonica on “Down Home Shakedown”

Odetta was an incredible blues, gospel and folk singer.  She was a talented guitarist, lyricist and a prominent activist in the civil rights movement, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement".

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she sang music professionally for 64 years right up until her death in late 2008

We love to feature Odetta in our classes. Here is one of our favourite songs “Yonder come the blues”.  It was originally recorded by the “Mother of the Blues” the great Ma Rainey and is one of many examples of the incredible legacy of Black female blues artists.

Born in Mississippi in 1915, Willie Dixon became a creative powerhouse who continuously refined the blues sound and, along with Muddy Waters, is credited in shaping the sound of Chicago Blues. 

Willie Dixon was a tireless ambassador for the blues and said “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits. It's better keeping the roots alive, because it means better fruits from now on. The blues are the roots of all American music. As long as American music survives, so will the blues."

And here he is showcasing his bass playing skills on the swingin' tune "Bassology"