Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

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 Portrait Gallery 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African Art 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Portraits 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • digital media - born analog 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Paintings 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Prints 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Coats (garments) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Collages (visual works) 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 7 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1940s 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 8 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Boston 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Massachusetts 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North America 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Suffolk County 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Atlantic City 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Atlantic County 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • California 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • District of Columbia 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Currently not on view 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Portrait Gallery Collection 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs and Still Images 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Costume 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Clothing - Fashion and Historical 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Graphic Arts 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African Art Collection 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Painting and Sculpture 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Entertainers 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Portraits 15 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Arts and Culture 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musicians 13 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Musical instruments 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Guitarist 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Singer 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Design 9 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Not determined 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Topic: Men close

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

Junior Wells

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

B. B. King

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

Hommage à Bessie Smith

Muddy Waters

B. B. King

Ray Charles

Muddy Waters and Isaac Washington

Jimi Hendrix

Huddie Ledbetter

Josh White, from the portfolio 'O, Write My Name': American Portraits, Harlem Heroes

Huddie Ledbetter

Huddie Ledbetter

Tuxedo jacket designed by Sy Devore and worn by Nat King Cole in St. Louis Blues

Albert King

Mississippi John Hurt

Jimi Hendrix

Ray Charles - Convention Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. - 1980

W.C. Handy

arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
  • Shop Online
  • Job Opportunities
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use