Blues as a genre shaped the sound of jazz in the early 20th century and directly led to the creation of rock 'n' roll in the '50s. The scales, chords, and progressions of blues as a musical form can be found in styles from jazz to rock to contemporary R&B.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Keith DavidSelf - Host | Self - Host |
| RRobert PalmerSelf - Commentator | Self - Commentator |
| AAlbert MurraySelf - Commentator | Self - Commentator |
 Chuck BerrySelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |
| LLouis ArmstrongSelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |
 Count BasieSelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |
| BBig Bill BronzySelf | Self |
| WWillie DixonSelf | Self |
| WW.C. HandySelf | Self |
 John Lee HookerSelf | Self |
| SSon HouseSelf | Self |
 Mick JaggerSelf | Self |
| LLouis JordanSelf | Self |
 B.B. KingSelf | Self |
| CCharlie ParkerSelf | Self |
 Bessie SmithSelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |
| DDinah WashingtonSelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |
 Muddy WatersSelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |
| SSonny Boy Williamson IISelf (archive footage) | Self (archive footage) |