Classic Blues

English · Music, Radio

The Blues 03. " Classic Blues"  03 10 10 CBC Radio 3. "Classic Blues" Locale: Harlem, NY The blues begins its integration into the American pop music canon when Mamie Smith records "Crazy Blues," launching the "race" records boom of the 1920s. "Classic Blues" features first generation blues divas — Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter, Victoria Spivey, and others — backed by jazz bands led by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Lonnie Johnson. The program concludes with an interpretation of Bessie Smith by 23-year-old Shemekia Copeland.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.