A Gallery of Popular Blues Musicians
From the banner at the top of this page, left to right…
- Bessie Smith
- Singer from the 1920s and 1930s, known as "The Empress of the Blues". Great songs include "Aggravatin' Papa" and "Downhearted Blues". photo by Carl Van Vechten, 1936
- John Lee Hooker
- Singer-songwriter and guitarist, "talking blues" style. Popular songs include "Boogie Chillen" and "Boom Boom". photo from the Lone Star Cafe in New York, by slate sky
- Brother Yusef
- Popular modern Blues man, with some great songs for dancing ("Got My Mojo Workin", "You Don't Have to Go")
- Billie Holiday
- "Lady Day" sang Jazz and Blues, beginning in the 1930s. Her bluesy swing style is great for dancing, with "Lady Sings the Blues" or her version of "Body and Soul". photo from Downbeat, New York, 1947, © William Gottlieb
- Muddy Waters
- "Father of the Chicago Blues", and a strong subsequent influence on Rock & Roll ("Hoochie Coochie Man", "Rollin' Stone") photo by slate sky, Kenyon College 1976.
- Nina Simone
- Eclectic pianist, songwriter and singer from the 1950s and 1960s, with some great songs for dancing ("I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl", "Feeling Good") photo by Jack Robinson, 1969
- B.B. King
- Iconic electric blues guitarist ("The Thrill is Gone") photo by Seher Sikandar, 2009
- Howlin' Wolf
- Another great electric blues musician, with a trademark howlin' voice ("I Put a Spell on You") photo © Raeburn Flerlage
- Lead Belly
- Pioneer of early blues, and self-styled King of the 12-string guitar ("Where Did You Sleep Last Night") photo by Austin Wilder, 1948
- Tom Waits
- Modern musician, known for his fusion style, and fantastic for dancing ("Hoist That Rag", "Temptation") photo by slate sky, My Father's Place, New York
