The Origins of the Blues: America’s Musical Essence Emerging from the deep southern regions of a recently emancipated America, the blues birthed a unique musical identity that gave birth to jazz, rock and roll, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul music, and much more. This class seeks to trace the blues from its origins in the red clay fields of Mississippi to the stages of Woodstock and beyond. Analysis of recorded performances will include Muddy Waters, Prince, Johnny Cash, and