Chicago's Electric Blues Heritage and History: Diddley Bow Workshop

Diddley Bow Archives Tie: The Black Ensemble Theater Company Records Collection Chicago has a rich heritage of internationally renowned electric blues guitar players, such as Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Buddy Guy and many more. This workshop elevates this Chicago history by exploring the rise of the electric blues and some of its musicians’ very first musical instrument, the diddley bow, a one-stringed instrument sometimes also referred to as a cigar box guitar. Inspired by the history of Chicago’s renowned blues guitarists extracted from CPL’s archives, participants will build their own cigar.