Atlanta blues

Atlanta blues refers to the local blues scene in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, which had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. According to AllMusic,"The Atlanta blues scene of the 1920s was among the most fertile in all the South, with a steady stream of rural musicians converging on the city hoping to gain exposure playing the local club circuit, with any luck rising to perform at Decatur Street's famed 81 Theatre."[1]

Atlanta blues
Stylistic originsBlues, country blues
Cultural originsEarly twentieth century, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Typical instrumentsSynthesizers, guitar, drums, piano, drum machine, harmonica, vocals

The oldest representative of the Atlanta blues was Peg Leg Howell, who made his first recordings in 1926. He was followed by Blind Willie McTell, Barbecue Bob, Charley Lincoln and Curley Weaver, with McTell typically being the most popular and acclaimed.

Many of these musicians banded together into groups; the most popular of these bands were the Georgia Cotton Pickers.

Cora Mae Bryant, the daughter of Curley Weaver, gradually became important on the Atlanta blues scene; performing, organizing "Giving It Back" festivals at the city's Northside Tavern to honor early blues artists, and as a frequent caller to local blues radio shows.[2] Also, Bryant's knowledge of early blues in Atlanta and Georgia, was used as a source by the music historians Peter B. Lowry and Bruce Bastin.[3]

More modern blues performers that have come out of or near Atlanta include The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Tinsley Ellis, Delta Moon,[4] and Chick Willis.[5]

Notable performers

References
  1. Jason Ankeny. "Georgia Blues (1928-1933) - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  2. "American Blues-Music Maker Relief Foundation: Meet Cora Mae Bryant". Ibiblio.org. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  3. "Cora Mae Bryant biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  4. Atlanta Magazine. June 2003. p. 102. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  5. "Blues Music: Overview | New Georgia Encyclopedia". M.georgiaencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
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