Blues History

Essay Criteria

Please choose a Blues artist from the attached list. (Ensure you check with the teacher prior to beginning your research to determine if this artist name is still available)

Using the websites (located on the Valley View General Music Website) and available books from the classroom, research and answer the following questions, using more than one word or one sentence answers. Perform tasks as assigned.

  1. In what year was the artist born? (Deceased?)
  2. Where was the artist born? Did the artist continue to reside in the same location? (If not, please explain).
  3. What instrument(s) did the artist play?
  4. What style of Blues did the artist play? (Delta, Chicago etc…..)
  5. Did the artist make any recordings?
  6. Name at least 5 recordings by this artist.
  7. Define characteristics of this artist. (Examples are: specific stylistic behavior when performing, foot stomping, bottleneck slides, thumb strumming, hollering)
  8. Were there any nicknames assigned to this artist? If so what was the birth name? Are there any references that define nickname given to the artist?
  9. Who were the influences for this artist?
  10. Choose one of the songs by this artist and try to define what the lyrics are saying. (Note: please be careful in your choice and analysis, as some lyrics may elicit topics not appropriate for all students.)
  11. Prepare at least one song by this artist to play for the class.

Paper Requirements:

Each Paper must have a title page. On the title page, you must include your name, and the date of the paper)

Pages are to be numbered. (Top right corner)

Font may be Ariel or Times New Roman using a size 12.

The entire document must be double-spaced.

Each beginning paragraph must be formatted for 1st line indent.

Each paper must be a minimum of 500 words.

Cite all sources at the end of the paper using a standard bibliography.

Presentation requirements:

Students must present concise material in a conversational way.

There is to be NO READING of papers.

Provide an additional copy of the artist picture to distribute around the classroom.

Provide a listening example of a song by your artist.

Each student has a maximum time limit of 10 minutes to present his/her artist biography.

Final Research Question for Class Discussion:

Please choose one of the following questions and be prepared to lead a discussion during class.

What other genres have been influenced by the Blues and why?

Why do you think the blue music has survived over the years?

How does Blues compare to other genres? What makes the blues different?

What is the attraction for new artists to perform the blues?

Blues Artists:

Please note: (If you choose a * current popular blues artist, please provide a more detailed description of earlier artists who most influenced this artist and why.)

Ma Rainey

Willie Brown

Leroy Carr

Peter Frampton *

Memphis Minnie

Eric Clapton *

Rolling Stones *

Muddy Waters

Charley Patton

Big Bill Broonzy

Howlin’ Wolf

Blind Lemon Jefferson

Bessie Smith

Little Richard

Son House

Otis Spann

T-Bone Walker

Tampa Red

Chuck Berry

Memphis Slim

Huddie Ledbetter (Leadbelly)

John Lee Hooker

Bo Diddly

Blind Blake

Jeff Beck *

Steve Miller *

Stevie Ray Vaughan *

Fred MacDowell

Keb Mo

Lonnie Johnson