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Blues Music: Iconic Instruments, Images, and Sounds

One of the most influential styles of American music, the Blues is a living tradition with multiple regional styles. Have a listen with the Sounds of the American Blues and The Roots of Rhythm & Blues playlists from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and explore our blues-related collection items.


  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 47 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs 47 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • digital media - born analog 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 47 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 47 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • Civil Rights Movement 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photography 46 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 43 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Instrumentalists (Musicians) 38 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singers (Musicians) 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Composers (Musicians) 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Jazz (Music) 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Men 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • Rhythm and blues (Music) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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B.B. King - Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass. - 1969

Photograph of John Lee Hooker with diagram of the evolution of the blues

Buddy Guy, 1990

Eddie King, 1989

Gelatin silver print of Lil Green, Queen of The Blues

B.B. King - Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass. - 1969

B.B. King - Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass. - 1969

Earl King, 1992

B.B. King, 1973

Muddy Waters, 1983

The Two Kings, Elvis Presley with B.B. King at WDIA Goodwill Review, Memphis, TN

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, 1995

Junior Wells, 1994

Little Ed Williams, 1992

Albert Collins, 1991

Eddie "Blues Man" Kirkland, 1989

Magic Slim, 1991

Bobby "Blue" Bland, 1989

Aretha Franklin, SCLC convention, Club Paradise, Memphis, TN

Taj Mahal, 1989

Lazy Lester, 1993

Mr. Q, 1992

Brownie McGhee, 1978

Charles Brown, 1995

Big Boy Henry, 1992

Papa John Creach, 1994

Carol Fran, 1992

Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, 1992

Etta James, 1991

Pinetop Perkins, 1988

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, 1973

Sonny Terry, 1978

Wendell Holmes, 1996

Professor Longhair, 1973

Jimmy Johnson, 1991


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