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 Museum of African American History and Culture 33 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Portraits 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Manuscripts 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Phonograph records 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Record covers 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • African Americans 33 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1930s 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1950s 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1960s 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1970s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1980s 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • 1990s 16 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North and Central America 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • United States 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Florida 19 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Broward County 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Fort Lauderdale 12 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Miami-Dade County 6 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Charlotte 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Mecklenburg County 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • North Carolina 5 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Miami 4 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 33 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photographs and Still Images 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Civil Rights Movement 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Documents and Manuscripts 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Record Albums 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Music 31 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Photography 30 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Instrumentalists (Musicians) 28 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Composers (Musicians) 11 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Soul (Music) 3 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Cvil Rights 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Gospel (Music) 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Rhythm and blues (Music) 2 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Civil rights 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Usage conditions apply 32 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • CC0 1 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus

Filter Settings

Included:

  • Remove Topic: Singers (Musicians) close

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

Still Boss of the Blues

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

Junior Wells, 1994

Little Ed Williams, 1992

Albert Collins, 1991

Eddie "Blues Man" Kirkland, 1989

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

Carol Fran, 1992

Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, 1992

Etta James, 1991

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, 1973

Wendell Holmes, 1996

Professor Longhair, 1973

James Cotton, 1979

Handwritten lyrics to "You Need Love" by Willie Dixon, signed by Ron Wood

Preston Fulp, 1992

Sam Myers, 1994

Johnny "Clyde" Copeland, 1988

Neal Pattman, 1992

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