"Name something truly "American." Hot dogs? Hollywood? Skyways? What about the distinctive sound of "slave music" from the Mississippi cotton fields? "The Blues" is a musical style created largely in response to the hardships endured by generations of African American people. It originated in the rural Mississippi Delta region at the beginning of the 20th century. Descended from early work shouts (arhoolies), Blues is primarily a vocal narrative style featuring solo voice with instrumental accompaniment. The singular music style has contributed significantly to the development of jazz, rock and country western music, attracting wider audiences in recent years. It also created a foundation for the unique Mississippi Delta culture, which you can experience through Global Volunteers' Mississippi Delta Program. "

Cultural Snapshot