From Mamie Smith and her seminal recording of "Crazy Blues" in 1920 through the standard makers like Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and Blind Boy Fuller to contemporary stars such as Robert Cray, Joe Louis Walker, and Kenny Neal - the musical tradition known as the "blues" has been long and varied.

Encyclopedia of the Blues is an indispensable reference source for everyone involved with or intrigued by the music. The work alphabetizes hundreds of biographical entries of the performers who have created and popularized the blues, presenting detailed examinations of the instruments, trends, recordings, and producers. It is appended with a very useful bibliography and discography, as well as mini-studies of selected blues standards.