The Blues, By Bessie Smith And Billie Holliday - 1744 Words

Music is such a beautiful creation, the way the melody, rhythm, tempo, all mix together to become a masterpiece. One specific genre of music, the blues, was heavily popular in the early 20th century. The blues is a tradition-oriented music style from the rural Southern African-American origin (â€Å"Jazz in America†, n.d. ). It usually had secular content, which is disparate from how it was when it first began. Blues music originated in plantations, where slaves sung, using it as a mental escape method from their oppression. Even though it started off in a simple way, it eventually turned into a serious entertainment. Bessie Smith and Billie Holliday, two well-known blues female singers, became hit sensations. Blues started in the South, long ago, when slavery was still socially accepted. Slaves were severely oppressed because they were legally bound to their masters. One way they found emotional freedom was to sing songs, which were called â€Å"slave songs.† â€Å"It Makes a Long Time Man Feel Bad†, â€Å"Hammer, Ring†, â€Å"Cornfield Holler†, were just a few of the popular slave songs (â€Å"Slavery and the Making of America†, 2004). Slave songs were in various forms such as field hollers, work songs, spirituals, and country string ballads (â€Å"The Blues- A History†, 2003). As time passed, these types of songs were starting to become known as the blues. After slavery ended in 1865, blues was not only still present, but became more evident. In the beginning of the 20th century, blues music was on theShow MoreRelatedBessie Smith : An American Jazz Musician Essay1437 Words   |  6 PagesBessie Smith Bessie Smith is an American Jazz musician in the genre of blues. She was born on the date of 15th April 1894. She is known to well for her dominance in the blues genre music in the span of around 1920s and 1930s. Bessie attributes her success, by working continuously with Louis Armstrong. Research indicates that Louis was a key inspiration when it comes to the perfection of jazz vocals. In her time, Bessie Smith proudly boasts as one of the best Blues musicians both in the US and theRead MoreLouis Armstrong Research Paper3031 Words   |  13 PagesArmstrong became famous due to his musical talent, social involvement, personality and influence on jazz. Armstrong was involved with music for almost his entire life. He started getting involved at a young age just listening to rags, marches, and blues whenever possible(â€Å"Louis Armstrong†). He was fascinated by the emerging jazz music being played around the city at places like the Funky Butt Hall(Rodabaugh). He began singing on the streets and eventually joined a barbershop quartet(â€Å"Louis Armstrong†)