When listening to the blues, Muslim tradition is probably far from your mind. But the genre is rooted in the music of the African slaves, and an estimated 30% of those were of the Islamic faith. Writer Jonathan Curie examines this connection in an article first posted on AramCoWorld. Slaves from the Muslim regions of Africa had traditions in storytelling through music and stringed instruments, two essential precursors to the blues. It’s a good read, covering most of the early development of the blues, and the influence is intriguing.
