The Second City has always been known as a mecca of the blues, a place where many of the genre’s legends made their fame. The career birthplace of instrumental musicians from Buddy Guy to Willie Dixon, Chicago is hailed as “The Capitol of the Blues.” Although the golden era of South and West Side’s roaring music scene has faded away, the city still remains a premier destination for blues lovers from around the world.
Michael Roberts, professor of the Chicago Blues Explore Chicago course at DePaul, seeks to explore the role of the genre in contemporary music, from rock and roll to hip hop.
“I want students … to garner a greater appreciation for whatever music they listen to by thinking about how the blues ultimately influenced it in some way, shape or form,” Roberts said. I make an attempt to draw out elements of the blues and let them know that it’s really informing their music that they hold dear to their hearts.”
The blues is largely believed to have originated in the Mississippi Delta and has its roots in adversity. During the 19th century, slaves in the American South would pass the time toiling on plantations with soulful chants and rhythmic stomping, influenced by a rich mêÑÔ©lange of African cultures, spirituals and drum beats. It was popularized alongside jazz in New Orleans, and came to Chicago in the ’30s and ’40s, where the introduction of electric instruments gave it a distinct local flavor that served as the foundation for other forms of music, like rock and roll.
Dean of Students Art Munin has been visiting the class over the years to play blues songs with Roberts on his acoustic guitar. Aside from his love of the genre itself, he highlights the way in which it has helped him relate to diversity and justice issues.
“I hope that (the students) learn how interconnected this work is within the notions of privilege, power and diversity. And just knowing where music came from. There’s so much wonderful music out there when you start digging into the roots of it.”
Growing up in Mount Greenwood, a working-class South Side neighborhood home to many firefighters and policemen, both Roberts and Munin discovered their love for the blues through the evolution of rock and roll. It also played a role in their understanding of race and the Civil Rights movement.
“Some of the surrounding communities there were definitely other elements of diversity, primarily African American. I was asking myself a number of questions – why is that?” said Roberts. “It relates to many of the social challenges that African Americans experienced – thinking about again the historical aspect of those individuals who were the Muddy Waters, who were the Howling Wolf, the Little Walters.”
Sharing his love for the blues as he sings and strums his guitar, Dean Munin also hopes to accomplish another goal: to dispel the stereotypes associated with being a dean of students. “When you watch movies … it’s more the Dean Wormer of Animal House. Sometimes that’s an impediment for students to go to the dean’s office for help, and I see this as a way to break this down – like listen, I’m Art Munin, I’m a real life person I genuinely care I want to share other aspects of (my life).”
