Week 4:  Rhythm & Blues, Gospel and Soul

Rhythm and Blues (R&B) is a style of popular music that originated in African Amercian communities in the 1940s and is the most influential style of music on later genres such as rock and roll and hip hop.  Traditional R&B based on boogie woogie jazz, but incorporates a persistent, heavier beat with an urban (city) sound.  Historically, the themes found in R&B music extended those found in the African American spirituals of the century prior - experiences with societal discrimination and inspiration and hope for the future. R&B was also used by record companies as a marketing brand for music made by and for African Americans.  Gospel is a style of music that blends jazz blues with the polyrhythms and call and response vocals from African American spirituals and Christian hymns sung in southern African American churches. Soul is a style of music originating in the 1950s that blends rhythm and blues with gospel. Soul that was popular for dancing and often incorporated vocal improvisations is sometimes called "Funk". Soul music reflects the African American identity and the importance of the African American culture. "Motown" was a record label in the 1950s-60s that commercially produced R&B and soul that diversified the audience for this type of music.  Music produced by under the Motown label was so popular, it began to be considered its own sub-genre of music.  Today's R&B, gospel and soul styles are very diverse, incorporating traditional jazz and blues mixed with modern rock and roll, pop and even country sounds. 

• Louis Jordan (1908-1975): Known as the "Father of Rhythm and Blues", Louis Jordan was a saxophonist, band leader and composer.  He popularized "jump blues", an up-tempo style of boogie woogie jazz.  Listen: Saturday Night Fish Fry

• Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972): Mahalia Jackson is the most influential gospel singer of all time.  She pioneered a gospel-jazz blues sound that transcended black churches and became a mouthpiece of hope and redemption for African Americans and Caucasian Americans during hard times of segregation.  Listen: Summertime/I Feel Like a Motherless Child

• Wyonie Harris (1916-1969):  Wyonie Harris started out as a dancer.  He became interested in a style of blues singing called "blues shouting" and began blues singing, later developing his own style.  Listen: Good Rockin' Tonight

• Ruth Brown (1928-2006): Called "Miss Rhythm", Ruth Brown dominated the R&B charts in the 1950s.  Her success helped build Atlantic Records, now one of the biggest record producers. Listen: Sweet Baby of Mine

• LaVern Baker (1927-1997): LaVern was a singer with a powerful voice and rhythmic style. She was often celebrated for her mastery of drama and soulful singing. Listen: Tweedle Dee

• Ray Charles (1930-2004):  An accomplished jazz and blues pianist, Ray Charles was one of the most well-known R&B and soul musicians.  Blind from the age of 6, and orphaned at the age of 15, Ray Charles left school and became a professional pianist.  Listen: Mess Around

• Sam Cooke (1931-1964): In a short 8 year career, Sam Cooke recorded 29 top 40 hits.  He is known for his incredible vocal range and diverse vocal textures.  Listen: Change Is Gonna Come

• James Brown (1933-2006): James Brown was a singer, dancer and social activist.  He was known for his theatrical performances and adding different rhythms to traditional gospel and soul, creating a sound that we know today as "funk".  Listen: Please, Please, Please

• Etta James (1938-2012): Etta James was singer whose music bridged blues-based R&B with pop rock.  She was known for her low, full voice and smooth vocal stylings.  Listen:  A Sunday Kind of Love

• Ben E. King (1938-2015): Ben E. King was a singer and record producer.  He was the lead singer of The Drifters before embarking on a solo career.  Listen: Stand By Me

• Marvin Gaye (1939-1984): The "Prince of Motown", Marvin Gaye was a singer, drummer and keyboardist.  He is known the incredible range of his voice and soulful lyrics. Listen:  I Heard It Through the Grapevine

• Smokey Robinson (b.1940): Smokey Robinson is a singer and record producer. He founded The Miracles, one of the first the "Motown" groups. Listen: You Really Got A Hold On Me

• Otis Redding (1941-1967): Otis Redding was a singer and songwriter most known for his emotional, soulful singing.  Throughout his career, he blended R&B and rock rhythms with soul and sometimes classical music. Listen: That's How Strong My Love Is

• Aretha Franklin (1942-2018): Known as the "Queen of Soul", Aretha Franklin is one of the world's best-selling musical artists.  A vocalist and accomplished piano player, she began touring as a professional gospel singer at age 12. When she was 16, she toured with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was exposed to many R&B and soul artists she would later collaborate with.  Listen: You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman) 

• The Isley Brothers (est. 1954): The Isley Brothers started as a gospel group, but began blending rhythm and blues, soul, funk and rock styles into their music.  They have been active for 7 decades, collaborating with artists in all genres.  Listen: It's Your Thing

• The Temptations (est. 1960): A male vocal group under the Motown record label, The Temptations are the one of the most influential R&B and soul groups of all time.  Known for tight harmonies (that would later influence a rock style called "Doo Wop", they pioneered a performance style adopted by the pop "boy bands" of the 1990s. Listen: My Girl

• The Commodores (est.1968): The Commodores is a funk and soul group that started as a student group at Tuskegee University. Their most influential period was in the 1970s and 80s (led by Lionel Richie). Listen: Brick House

• Diana Ross (b.1944): Diana Ross was the lead singer of The Supremes, an all-female Motown group and the most successful female singing group of all time. She later became a solo artist and actress and is still recording at the age of 80. Listen: You Can't Hurry Love

• Stevie Wonder (b.1950): Stevie Wonder is a musical prodigy, who began his professional career at age 11.  Blind from almost birth, Stevie played the piano and other instruments, pioneering the use of the synthesizer and other electronic instruments in R&B and soul.  Listen: For Once In My Life

• Whitney Houston (1963-2012): Whitney Houston started as a gospel and soul singer before crossing over into pop. She is known for her incredibly powerful voice and emotional performances.  Listen: Home

• Mary J. Blige (b.1971): Mary J. Blige is a singer, songwriter and actor.  She is most known for fusing R&B with hip hop and soul, pioneering a new soul movement in music.  She is a powerful feminist performer.  Listen: Just Fine

• Destiny's Child (est.1990):  Originally called Girls Tyme, this group was led by (then) 8 year-old Beyonce. The grew up to become the highest selling all-female group of all time.  The (originally) 4-member troupe got their start on the popular TV show "Star Search", a predecessor to today's "American Idol". Beyonce continues to be one of the most internationally known and best-selling solo artists. Listen: Bills Bills Bills

• John Legend (b.1978): John Legend is a singer, songwriter and actor.  He began his music career accompanying other artists on the piano. Listen: All She Wanna Do

• Alicia Keys (b.1981): Alicia Keys is a classically trained pianist who began composing at age 12. She is most known for her fusion R&B, incorporating the jazz, pop and hip-hop genres into her music.  Listen: Fallin'

• Jhene Aiko (b.1988): Jhene Aiko is a vocalist best known for her distinctive voice and intricate song structures. Listen: Born Tired