Chicago Blues Orchestra: A Living History

Chicago Blues: A Living History Billy Boy Arnold John Primer Billy Branch Lurrie Bell Carlos Johnson Chicago Blues is a form of blues that developed in Chicago, Illinois by adding instruments such as electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, and even brass instruments to the classic base of Delta blues, namely acoustic guitar and harmonica. It is this orchestral structure which will later be the basis of the Rock orchestra. The rise of the Chicago Blues is mainly due to the rural exodus, during the Great Depression, of black and poor workers from the southern United States to the industrialized cities of the north, Chicago in particular, during the first half of the XXth century. At first the Chicago Blues was mainly forged in the streets and clubs of Chicago. But very quickly it gained a lot of popularity until it reached the whole of the United States and then Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. The main artists who have played Chicago blues are Big Bill Broonzy, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Freddie King, Howlin' Wolf, J.B. Lenoir, John Primer, Little Walter, Luther Allison, Magic Slim, Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield , Sonny Boy Williamson I, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Willie Dixon.