Blues History & Resources
Blues or “blues-idiom” dancing is a collection of dances and movements that grew out of the African-American / Black community
and were danced to blues music. As blues music can trace it’s origins to the American South, these dances follow the same lineage.
Various styles grew depending on the area one grew up in and matched the music that predominately played in a region.
[Source]
Explore these curated resources to deepen your understanding of blues dance, music, and culture. From historical context to modern
interpretations, these materials offer valuable insights into the blues dance community.
Thank you to Lila Faria for gathering these resources! [Source]
Educational Content
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12-Bar Talk Podcast - Hosted by Dr. Chelsea
Adams, expert in 20th Century American Literature, African American Literature, Blues, and Black Dance. The podcast covers
Blues history and current artists, dance traditions and trends, and interviews with community leaders including Grey Armstrong,
Damon and Kelsy Stone, Charlley Ward, Brother Yusef, Genevieve Senechal, Josh Davis, and many more.
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Damon Stone's Blog
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Obsidian Tea - Deep dives into blues dance culture and history
Recommended Reading
While the original Blues and Jazz Book Club is no longer active, these books offer valuable perspectives on blues music, dance, and African American cultural history. The reading list includes works recommended by blues dance organizers worldwide.
Core List
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
- The Devil's Music: A History of the Blues by Giles Oakley
- A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib
- Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday with William Dufty
- Corregidora by Gayl Jones
Additional Recommendations
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Blues Legacies and Black Feminism by Angela Davis
Essential reading for understanding the intersection of blues, feminism, and African American culture
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Jookin': The Rise of Social Dance Formations in African American Culture by Katrina Hazzard-Gordon
Explores the development of social dance in African American communities
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Black and White Styles in Conflict by Thomas Kochman
Recommended by Grey Armstrong at Obsidian Tea
Blues Dance Videos
These videos are carefully curated to represent authentic blues dance styles. While there's much misinformation about blues dancing online, these examples showcase the true essence of the art form.
