Stylistic origins Blues, country blues | ||
Cultural origins Early twentieth century, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Typical instruments Synthesizers, guitar, drums, piano, drum machine, harmonica, vocals | ||
Atlanta blues refers to the local blues scene in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, which had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. According to AllMusic,"The Atlanta blues scene of the 1920s was among the most fertile in all the South, with a steady stream of rural musicians converging on the city hoping to gain exposure playing the local club circuit, with any luck rising to perform at Decatur Street's famed 81 Theatre."
The oldest representative of the Atlanta blues was Peg Leg Howell, who made his first recordings in 1926. He was followed by Blind Willie McTell, Barbecue Bob, Charley Lincoln and Curley Weaver, with McTell typically being the most popular and acclaimed.
Many of these musicians banded together into groups; the most popular of these bands were the Georgia Cotton Pickers.
More modern blues performers that have come out of or near Atlanta include The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Tinsley Ellis, Delta Moon, and Chick Willis.