Blues as a genre shaped the sound of jazz in the early 20th century and directly led to the creation of rock 'n' roll in the '50s. The scales, chords, and progressions of blues as a musical form can be found in styles from jazz to rock to contemporary R&B.

Keith David
as Self - Host

Robert Palmer
as Self - Commentator

Albert Murray
as Self - Commentator

Chuck Berry
as Self (archive footage)

Louis Armstrong
as Self (archive footage)

Count Basie
as Self (archive footage)

Big Bill Bronzy
as Self

Willie Dixon
as Self

W.C. Handy
as Self

John Lee Hooker
as Self