"In 1940 I came across a record by Jimmy Yancey. I can't say how important that record is. From then on, all I wanted to do was play the blues"

In the quote by Alexis Korner, "In 1940 I stumbled upon a record by Jimmy Yancey. I can't state how essential that record is. After that, all I wished to do was play the blues", we glean an extensive moment of musical discovery, one that considerably influenced Korner's artistic trajectory.

The year 1940 positions us in a world on the brink of global conflict during World War II, a time when individual and cultural expressions such as music offered solace and hope. Alexis Korner, who would later on be hailed as a critical figure in the British blues movement, describes an encounter that would pivot his life's course. The record he discovered was by Jimmy Yancey, an American pianist known for his pioneering work in boogie-woogie and blues piano. Yancey's design was defined by its emotive and balanced expressiveness, a hallmark of blues that conveys both the battles and the resilience of the human spirit.

Korner's assertion, "I can't state how crucial that record is", underscores the transformative impact Yancey's music had on him-- an artistic surprise that words stop working to sufficiently include. This speaks to music's intrinsic ability to resonate deeply and personally with individuals, igniting enthusiasms that can form life paths. For Korner, this record was a driver, awakening within him an extensive and singular desire: "From then on, all I wanted to do was play the blues". This moment of motivation ended up being a specifying juncture, steering him towards a life dedicated to the category.

Korner's dedication would ultimately lead him to become a foundational figure in the blues scene, motivating generations of artists and helping cultivate a dynamic blues culture in Britain. His story highlights the effective, almost mystical capacity of music to inspire and change people, moving them to add to the broader cultural tapestry. In Korner's case, the encounter with Yancey's record was not just formative; it was a moment of fate, one that committed him to a lifelong pursuit of the blues.