ISBN: 1512452823 9781512452822

Category: Juvenile Nonfiction / Music / Popular

Page count: 64

<p>A singer calls out to the crowd. <br> An electric bass thumps out a beat. <br> Horns blare and strings swirl. <br> These are the sounds of R & B. <br> <br> Rhythm and blues music evolved from all sorts of sounds: swinging jazz, gritty blues, and African American spiritual songs. The music's smooth mix of styles made it unique, and its passionate performers made it a sensation. Ever since Ray Charles hit the charts in the 1950s, R & B fans have held it down on dance floors. And R & B singers have belted out messages of love and calls for social change. </p>