George Sottung (American, 1927 - 1999) "Jazz Music Legends Band" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Jazz Music stamp issued September 17, 1994. Derived from the term "blue note," a flatted third or seventh note in a chord where a major interval would be expected, the Blues is an offshoot of pre-Civil War ballads of work and sorrow. Eventually the music acquired a recognizable pattern characterized by a slow tempo and mournful melody. Among those credited with perpetuating the Blues are Ma Rainey, Billy Holiday, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. Jazz, another form of music that originated in America, was first played in the United States during the late 1800s. One of its most distinctive attributes is the use of improvisation, allowing singers and musicians to spontaneously perform their own versions of small segments of a Jazz song. Recording artists Mildred Bailey and Bessie Smith are just two of the pioneers who made great strides in the development of this truly American form of music. Image Size: 15 x 13.25 in. Overall Size: 22 x 19.25 in. Unframed. (B14803) See More