West Coast blues facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Coast blues |
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| Stylistic origins | Blues, Jazz blues, Jump blues |
| Cultural origins | Texas |
| Typical instruments | Piano, Guitar |
The West Coast blues is a lively type of blues music. It mixes sounds from jazz and jump blues. You'll often hear lots of piano and jazzy guitar solos. This style started when blues musicians from Texas moved to California in the 1940s. West Coast blues also features smooth, clear singing, much like urban blues.
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How West Coast Blues Started
West Coast blues grew from the sounds of Texas blues. Many musicians from Texas moved to California in the 1940s. They brought their blues style with them. In California, their music blended with jazz and jump blues. This created the unique West Coast blues sound.
Famous Musicians from Texas
One of the most famous West Coast blues musicians was T-Bone Walker. He was a guitarist originally from Texas. He made his first recordings in the late 1920s. Walker is well-known for his song "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad)".
In the early 1940s, T-Bone Walker moved to Los Angeles. There, he recorded many songs for record labels like Capital and Imperial. Walker was important because he helped make the electric guitar popular in blues music. His songs often had a jazzy, jump blues feel. This was a common style for blues music in California during the 1940s and 1950s.
Other Artists Who Moved West
Many other blues musicians from Texas also moved to Los Angeles. These included:
- Pianist and songwriter Amos Milburn
- Singer Percy Mayfield, famous for "Hit the Road Jack"
- Musician Charles Brown
Guitarist Pee Wee Crayton spent his time between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Lowell Fulson, who was from Texas but lived in Oklahoma for a while, moved to Oakland. All these artists helped shape the West Coast blues sound.
West Coast Blues Today
Today, the West Coast is still a very important area for blues music. This is thanks to people like Tom Mazzolini. He started the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1974. Record companies like Arhoolie and HighTone also helped. They recorded and promoted many West Coast blues artists.
Key West Coast Blues Artists
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See also
In Spanish: West Coast blues para niños
