Celebrate Black Music Month in June

Ragtime
The style of Ragtime began in the late 1800s til the mid 1900s. Scott Joplin was a main contributor to this style of music and was dubbed "King Of Ragtime".

Negro Spirituals
Negro Spirituals were created by the enslaved Africans after their arrival in North America from 1619 to mid 1800s.The songs spoke about joy, faith, hope, escape and survival. These songs have been passed down from generation to generation starting from the plantation fields to the church. These songs would become the early roots of Gospel music. A key figure in the development of Gospel Music was Thomas A. Dorsey, known as the "Father Of Gospel Music ". Other great Gospel artists were James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, Andre Crouch, Shirley Caesar & Albertina Walker.

Blues
Blues music began in the 1960s after the Civil War. It was influenced by work songs and spirituals from slaves in the deep South. Blues Music described sad situations, and troubles. Some great Blues artists were Robert Johnson, Ma Rainey, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and KoKo Taylor.

Jazz
Jazz Music emerged in the 1900s stemming its roots from Blues, Spirituals and Ragtime. Famous Jazz artists were Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Charlie Parker & Nina Simone.

Rock & Roll
Rock & Roll emerged in the 1950s to 1960s was inspired by Blues, Boogie Woogie, and Gospel. Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Chuck Berry were the early pioneers of Rock & Roll. Other artists were Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Fats Domino, & Jimi Hendrix.

Rhythm and Blues/Soul
Rhythm and Blues or Soul Music was established in the 1940s and continues to be a popular genre of music til this day. Notable artists are Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Ruth Brown, AL Green, Etta James, & Sam Cooke.

Doo Wop
Doo Wop emerged from the blending of Rhythm and Blues, Gospel Music & Black vocal group music in the 1940s. Most popular Doo Wop groups were the Cadillacs, The Moonglows, The Shirelles, The Jive Five, The Chantels, & The Drifters.

Funk Music
Funk Music emerged in the 1960s and was inspired by Soul Music, Jazz, & African grooves. Such great Funk artists are James Brown, Kool and The Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament-Funkadelic, & Sly and The Family Stone. Disco was later influenced by Funk Music. Great Disco artists were Donna Summer, The Trammps, Brick, Lipps Inc, & Love & Kisses.

Hip Hop
Hip Hop was created in the streets of New York, The Bronx is the Birthplace Of Hip Hop. Its influences came from R&B, Blues, and Funk. Great Hip Hop artists are Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Salt n Pepa, Krs One, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, & Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five.

Neo Soul
Neo Soul emerged in the 1990s. It was a particular style that got its roots from Soul, R&B, Funk and Jazz. D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, & Musiq Soulchild are notable Neo Soul artists.