The Blues Influence on Contemporary Music – The Judy Adams Program February Specials

The musical form known as “the blues” is at the root of most musical styles created during the 20th century. Its influence is so pervasive that elements of it can be heard in virtually all styles including country, bluegrass, classical and techno. It is also a foundational ingredient in R&B, rock, and jazz. The blues idiom grew out of African American communities in the 19th century, from spirituals, work songs, and other indigenous forms. The blues scale contains distinctive “intervals” that are a direct link to ancient pentatonic modes, (5-note scales) that originated in West and North Africa centuries ago.

During the month of February 2015, The Judy Adams Program will devote each show to music that illustrates the immense influence of the blues on various contemporary musical art forms from jazz and folk to world and electronic..and everything in between.

Tune in Thursdays at 1pm and Tuesdays (encore show) at 7:30am.

Detroit Public Radio mainstay, Judy Adams, is also a trained pianist, composer and musicologist. She’s been hosting a contemporary music variety show on CJAM 99.1FM since 2006.