The Saint Louis Blues

Long lost by time, here is the original version of W.C. Handy's iconic St Louis Blues as performed by James Reese Europe and his 369th Hellfighter Band. The verses are the familiar standard 12-bar blues, which was new at the time. It also has a 16-bar bridge written as a habanera rhythm popularly called a 'Spanish tinge.' The final repeated strain is borrowed from Handy's lesser known 'Jogo Blues,' a melody Handy's preacher would hum during offerings. Handy and Europe met in 1915 and became close friends.