Rhythm and Blues music, like any other genre, has its roots in different places. One place that it was developed was New Orleans. This was because of the influx of immigrants from all over the world who brought different musical influences with them. The results were the music that we know today. However, there is more to the origins of this genre than just the music itself. It also has an influence on Jazz, and it is also a style that can be credited with having a strong foundation in Soul.
Origins
Origins of rhythm and blues music trace back to the early twentieth century. It is a form of popular entertainment that has been a major achievement in American music. Originally African American, it reflects the expressive history of the African-American culture.
During World War I, many African Americans moved to urban centers. These migrants were part of the Great Migration. Similar patterns occurred in the Midwest to Detroit, and from the East to New York City.
Rhythm and blues originated in the inner-city ghettos. Although its roots were in blues and gospel traditions, it later incorporated jazz and other genres, such as boogie. Some musicians even reworked blues standards for contemporary audiences.
In the late 1940s, R&B gained widespread popularity. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it was a major force in the development of the American popular music industry. A wide variety of genres derived from it, including rock ‘n’ roll, soul, and disco.
Several musicologists suggest that rhythm and blues should be a distinct form of music. They believe the music was originally performed by black artists, though some artists also performed white music that was classified as “race” records.
The origins of rhythm and blues music were influenced by three historical processes. These were the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, and the evolution of urban communities. Cities such as Memphis and Chicago played important roles in these processes.
Jazz influences
Jazz is a music genre that has evolved into an art form. It is characterized by spontaneity and improvisation. It is often called the “sound of freedom,” and its influence has spread beyond the realm of music into other arts and culture.
Traditionally thought to have originated in New Orleans, jazz has been influenced by numerous cultural groups. It has absorbed elements from African, American, and European cultures.
The rhythm and blues genre, which combines elements of blues, gospel, and jazz, is a staple of American music. It is a form of popular music that emerged in the south and midwest in the twentieth century.
Initially, rhythm and blues were imitated and adapted from black African folk songs. Rhythm and blues music is a reflection of the musical life in the United States in the 1900s. This music also incorporated the syncopated beats and colorful chordal combinations that were present in African-American religious music.
A number of influential jazz musicians made their mark on the genre. For example, guitarist Charlie Parker created solos for each tune he played. Benny Goodman launched the jitterbug craze. Jimmy Smith, Charles Brown, and Slim Gaillard were among the white jazz soloists in the early twentieth century.
Throughout the 1920s, jazz developed into a more upbeat, dance-oriented style known as swing. It incorporated influences from other popular cultures, such as Indian ragas and Brazilian bossa nova.
Soul
R&B (rhythm and blues) was a popular music genre during the 1940s and 1950s. It began in Black communities in the Midwest and the Northeast. These communities had been impacted by the Great Migration. Large segments of the Black population moved to urban centers, bringing their culture with them. They were influenced by jazz and gospel.
As the 1960s and 1970s progressed, soul became an umbrella term for various varieties of R&B-based music. Often, musical arrangements included a horn section and a rhythm section, along with a strong bassline. The lead vocalist and chorus would often interact through call and response.
In the early 1970s, funk and psychedelic rock became influential. Soul began to evolve into more sophisticated forms. During this time, a new generation of street-corner harmony groups began making hits. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Stevie Wonder helped shape soul into a more mature style.
In the 1980s, soul music began to wane. The rise of hip-hop began to overshadow it. However, pockets of musicians kept performing in the traditional soul style.
By the 1990s, a new generation of singers, such as Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, helped create a new subgenre. The lyrical themes often reflected the African-American experience. Many of these themes centered on issues of social justice and freedom.
Rhythm and blues is a popular form of entertainment in mainstream America. Many of its recordings have crossed over to the pop charts.
Funk
Funk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1960s. It incorporates influences from rock, R&B, and jazz. In particular, funk is characterized by its strong bass lines, which separate it from other musical genres. Musicians in the genre use a variety of keyboards, such as an acoustic piano and Hammond B-3 organ, as well as electronic instrumentation.
The origins of funk are traced to a 19th-century New Orleans voodoo priest, Dr. John. His piano riffs influenced pianist Professor Longhair.
Funk is often a combination of freeform jamming and African polyrhythms. Instruments such as drums, guitar, and electric organ are used to generate rhythmic patterns. Bass players also contribute to the groove. During a performance, each musician has a specific part, often including a solo.
Funk musicians rely on the 13th, 7th, and 9th chords, and minor sixth and eleventh chords. They also incorporate extended chords from bebop jazz, such as a six-ninth chord.
Funk is a unique form of music that fuses rock, soul, gospel, and blues. Many contemporary bands continue to perform funk-inspired songs, including Outkast, Malina Moye, and Gnarls Barkley. Currently, the movement is known as funkcore, and a new generation of funk artists are emerging.
Although funk was initially a male-dominated musical movement, the 1990s brought a significant female influence. Janelle Monae has opened doors for the genre to embrace women.
New Orleans
New Orleans music is a unique and diverse culture with influences ranging from brass to soul. The city has a long and rich history in the arts. It has influenced music for generations.
As the country’s leading center of R&B activity, New Orleans has played an important role in the development of seminal musical styles. Some of the city’s seminal artists continue to enjoy active careers, while younger musicians carry the Crescent City torch.
During the 1950s, New Orleans music embraced a variety of sounds. This is reflected in the names of artists who helped shape the genre. Professor Longhair, for example, played a prominent role in the early days of New Orleans R&B.
Despite New Orleans’s influence on the national R&B scene, the city is unable to claim complete credit for the development of blues rock and roll. Other regions, such as Baton Rouge, have contributed to the development of the genre.
In the 1960s, the genre moved towards funkier material. Artists such as Louis Jordan, Huey “Piano” Smith, and Young Roddy took the genre in this new direction. They helped to pave the way for other notable rock styles.
However, the legacy of the city’s r & b heritage is still alive and well. Today, local artists are putting the funk back into the genre. Using the musical and cultural roots of the city, they are creating a sound of their own.
Rhythm and Blues Foundation
The Rhythm and Blues Foundation was started in Washington, D.C. by R&B singer Ruth Brown. She was an entertainer who toured the world and hosted a show on National Public Radio. It’s a non-profit organization that has helped hundreds of rhythm and blues artists, and it’s also managed the Gwendolyn B. Gordy Fuqua Fund, which aids R&B performers who recorded for the Motown label.
One of the newest initiatives is a digital music service. The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Rhythm & Blues. This nonprofit is run by musicians, who are devoted to ensuring the musical legacy of the genre remains relevant for years to come. Currently, they are working to preserve the culture and the legacy of R&B by assisting the musicians who made it happen.
In addition to helping artists and their families, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation provides educational outreach. They do this by providing seminars, lectures, and workshops on the art of singing and the history of the genre.
They also provide health care. They have a fund that helps musicians with kidney and liver testing, cholesterol, and thyroid tests, as well as funeral expenses and diabetes. Their HART Fund also offers prostate cancer screenings.
The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is a philanthropic organization that is supported by a variety of organizations, companies, and individuals. There’s no official record of how much they earn, but their last Form 990 listed $151,265 in revenue.