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The Blues

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S1 E7 · Piano Blues

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About The Blues

The Blues is a documentary TV series that premiered on PBS on September 28, 2003. It has 1 season and 7 episodes so far and has ended. The latest episode, Season 1 Episode 7 "Piano Blues", aired on October 4, 2003.

The Blues (2003) is a seven-part documentary series produced by Martin Scorsese that explores the history and influence of blues music. Each episode, directed by a different filmmaker, traces a unique aspect of the genre’s evolution—from its African roots to its global impact. Originally airing on PBS, the series includes Scorsese’s Feel Like Going Home, Wim Wenders’ The Soul of a Man, Richard Pearce’s The Road to Memphis, Charles Burnett’s Warming by the Devil’s Fire, Marc Levin’s Godfathers and Sons, Mike Figgis’ Red, White and Blues, and Clint Eastwood’s Piano Blues.

  • Documentary

Last updated

Episodes

7 episodes · 1 season

Season 1

2003 · 7 episodes · Last episode: 23 years ago

The Blues Season 1 release dates →
  1. The Blues S1 E7 still E7

    7. Piano Blues

    Finale

    The film features interviews and live performances of piano players Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Dr. John and Marcia Ball. Eastwood interviews artists as Ray Charles, Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Jay McShann, Henry Gray and shows archival performances of Fats Domino, Otis Spann, Art Tatum, Albert Simmons, Pete Johnson, Jay McShann, Big Joe Turner, Nat King Cole, Martha Davis, Professor Longhair, Charles Brown and Duke Ellington. Remarkable are two early performances of the Chess Records houseband with Otis Spann, Willie Dixon and, probably, Fred Below.

  2. The Blues S1 E6 still E6

    6. Red, White and Blues

    Director Mike Figgis joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Tom Jones, performing and talking about the music of the early sixties British invasion that reintroduced the blues sound to America.

  3. The Blues S1 E5 still E5

    5. Godfathers and Sons

    Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to the Chess Records legacy) to explore the heyday of Chicago blues as they unite to produce an album that seeks to bring veteran blues players together with contemporary hip hop musicians. Along with never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, are original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.

  4. The Blues S1 E4 still E4

    4. Warming by the Devil's Fire

    Director Charles Burnett presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational tensions between the heavenly strains of gospel and the devilish moans of the blues.

  5. The Blues S1 E3 still E3

    3. The Road To Memphis

    The film follows the career of Blues musician B.B. King. It features performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Rufus Thomas.

  6. The Blues S1 E2 still E2

    2. Soul of a Man

    The film explores the musical careers of blues musicians Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson and J. B. Lenoir.

  7. The Blues S1 E1 still E1

    1. Feel Like Going Home

    Director Martin Scorsese pays homage to the Delta blues. Musician Corey Harris travels through Mississippi and on to West Africa, exploring the roots of the music. The film celebrates the early Delta bluesmen through original performances (including Willie King, Taj Mahal, Otha Turner, and Ali Farka Toure) and rare archival footage (featuring Son House, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker).

Cast & crew

Created by Martin Scorsese

  • Taj Mahal

    Self

  • B.B. King

    B.B. King

    Self

  • Marcia Ball

    Self

  • Ike Turner

    Ike Turner

    Self

  • Salif Keita

    Salif Keita

    Self

  • Ray Charles

    Ray Charles

    Self

  • Ali Farka Touré

    Self

  • Rosco Gordon

    Self (archive footage)

  • John Lee Hooker

    John Lee Hooker

    Self (archive footage)

  • Roy Hawkins

    Roy Hawkins

    Self (archive footage)

  • Sam Carr

    Self

  • Toumani Diabaté

    Toumani Diabaté

    Self

  • Corey Harris

    Self

  • Son House

    Self (archive footage)

  • Willie King

    Self

  • Habib Koité

    Self

The Blues FAQ

Will there be new episodes of The Blues?

The Blues has ended, so no new episodes are scheduled. The final episode aired on October 4, 2003.

When did the latest episode of The Blues come out?

The most recent episode of The Blues, Season 1 Episode 7 "Piano Blues", aired on October 4, 2003.

How many seasons of The Blues are there?

The Blues has 1 season with 7 episodes in total.

When did The Blues first air?

The Blues first aired on PBS on September 28, 2003.

How do I get notified when new episodes of The Blues are released?

Download the Streambay app, follow The Blues, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.

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