National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Blues
Examples of the blues inspired by the African American migration to Northern cities. These lyrics and audio clips explores the reasons for, and effects of, these migrations.
Scott Alexander
Lucille Bogan ( Bessie Jackson)
Information on the life and discography of blues artist Lucille Bogan, also known as Bessie Jackson. Includes audio samples.
Scott Alexander
V Irginia Liston
Information on the life and discography of blues singer/songwriter, Virginia Liston.
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Derek Walcott
This site, created by a University of Buffalo math professor with a deep interest in African American and Caribbean writing, gives four poems by Walcott an audio of him speaking, and a biography and bibliography.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues
This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which students learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one of the...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Blues Music: Overview
Overview and definition of blues music that developed in the southern United States in the early nineteenth century. Performers from Georgia include Ray Charles, Ma Rainey, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers.
Tennessee History For Kids
Tennessee History for Kids: Bessie Smith
Often known as the "Empress of the Blues," Bessie Smith influenced entire generations of blues, jazz, and rock musicians and was the highest-paid black entertainer of her time. This website will provide more information about Smith's...
PBS
Pbs: Blues Road Trip
Come and trace the migration of the blues through the United States. This site features an in-depth look at the origins of the Blues throughout its development across the Deep South of the US and beyond.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues as Poetry
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
Other
David Holt: The Roots of Mountain Music
This is a short history of the major influences that have combined to create mountain music, one of which is minstrel music. Provides a good decription of minstrel music in general. Includes names and descriptions of specific songs,...
Other
Harmonica Info and Tips
Gives basic information about the harmonica in addition to tips for purchasing and playing one
Other
Honky Tonks, Hymns, and the Blues: Jimmie Rodgers
An extensive look at the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers, along with audio clips, a biography, and sources for more information.
Other
Saudi Aramco World: Muslim Roots, u.s. Blues
This site explores the link between Muslim traditions and American blues music. Using audio content, pictures, text, and the song ?Levee Camp Holler,? this site examines African Muslim history tied to the history of U.S. Blues.
Indiana University
Archives of African American Music and Culture
Contains resources on black culture and music from the early 1900s to the present.
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic: Seasonal Affective Disorder
This site from the MayoClinic.com provides great information on the seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. The article includes sections such as: overview, signs and symptoms, causes, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
PBS
Pbs: Sweet Old Song (The Music of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong)
Learn about and listen to jazz, blues, folk, and country musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong and his roots in America's musical past. "Sweet Old Song" tells the story of the music and art partnership between Armstrong and his...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: August Wilson, Writing to the Blues
An interview with playwright August Wilson about the people who most influence his writing. He includes Amiri Baraka, Jorge Luis Borges, and Romare Bearden, and most especially, blues singer Bessie Smith. In addition to the interview,...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Mamie Smith and the Birth of the Blues Market
This overview of a story originally aired on All Things Considered on NPR provides a description of the story complete with pictures and pertinent media. The entire radio broadcast is also provided in full.
Classical Bands
Classicbands: Eric Clapton
Features biographical information and interesting facts about the life of Eric Clapton, legendary Grammy-award winning blues guitarist and singer.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Gullah Net: Got the Blues
Learn about music called the Blues, and then write, play, and sing an original blues song.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Women and the Blues
This primary source set uses recordings, documents, and photographs to tell the story of the origins of blues music in which women were an influential part.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Two: Desegregating the Airwaves: Blues on the Radio
This lesson deals with the emergence of the blues as a form of popular music on the radio, beginning in Helena, Arkansas in 1940. Students will understand and discuss the relationship between technological and social change, discuss how...
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Esther Bigeou
Information on the life and discography of Esther Bigeou.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: A Guide Through the Culture of the Blues
An extraordinary curriculum unit to teach blues and all its cultural implications.