‘ HOW BLUE CAN YOU GET ’
Get down and dirty to the Brighton Blues scene - Shannon Williams reports
Keeping the spirit of faithful blues alive , the ‘ How Blue Can You Get ’ blues Jam , is an opportunity for musicians , from beginner to professional to improvise and jam along to the authentic Blues beat . It ’ s hosted by friends Thomas Woods and Travis Bennett , every other Wednesday night from 8-12 . A full backline is provided ; guitar , drums , amplifiers , bass and microphones with the house musicians on hand to guide newcomers and step in .
The blues Jam was influenced by the lack of open mic nights like it in Brighton . Woods said ; “ Honestly it has been so exciting to see the blues Jam pick up over the past couple months and have the opportunity to play with musicians who also have an interest in blues .
“ We have our regulars come by every Jam but we always have new faces and of course they are always welcome . It is such a welcoming atmosphere as we all share the same affection for lues music .”
So what defines blues music ?
As an expression of community and solidarity , blues music originated from the Southern states of America in the late 19th century . Mimicking the rhythms and drones of African Slaves before the emancipation proclamation in the 1960s . Many formerly enslaved people moved to Chicago and Detroit where by expression of their experience and creative passion , the blues established itself as a genre .
The expression of ‘ having the blues ’ connotes the gloomy , crooning feeling . The emotion and affection for blues is shared across many instruments such as the slide guitar , drums , harmonica and trumpet , blending together to naturally devise different depictions of the blues style . Delta blues being one of the original , rhythmic styles to evolve from the plantations . Other recognisable styles of blues include ; harmonica blues , country blues and urban blues . All following the blues pattern but giving different levels of expression and dwelling as well as blending with Jazz and Rock music that was the first time genres collided to exaggerate the driving force and influence blues had in the 1940s-1960s .
The melancholic lyrics and harmonies follow a simple music structure of a 12 bar form with 4 beats in a bar and a three line verse structure . Lyrics are often improvised therefore it is common to have the first two lines the same whilst the musician thought of the third line .
Riffs , melodies and other soulful blues characteristics can be recognised most recently in modern pop music , named the ‘ Blues Renaissance ’. Modern day artists are crafting their music under the influence of the versatile blues structure , such as Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars who have used the blues pentatonic scale and movement between notes . Authentic blues is lesser known due to the evolution of music , however affection for the genre still can be found within music culture as names such as B . B King and Jimi Hendrix are still household names decades after their debut .
If you know your 1-4-5 or have a soulful interest in blues music or just want to let loose , follow @ howbluecanyouget on Instagram for updates on the next Jam at The Victory Inn , Duke Street .
Photo Credit ; Instagram @ howbluecanyouget
Photo Credit ; Shannon Williams