In the midst of the uncertainty out in the world, the Blues Festival Guide team is still working to bring you the latest happenings on the festival circuit, as well as editorial features to uplift your spirit and connect you with the Blues community. Here’s a sneak peek into what we’re working on!
What’s Cookin’ with Victor Wainwright
Check out what award-winning piano man Victor Wainwright is cookin’. The now Memphis-based Georgia native says, “What takes us from Savannah to Memphis on the music and food train? What’s relatively cheap, can feed an army and bring together a house full of musicians to the dinner table amid the loud music playing, chatter, laughter and normal everyday noise? Memphis Loud BBQ Stew with Mamma’s Cornbread!” Don’t miss out on Wainwright’s own recipes for smoked pork butt, BBQ stew and cornbread. You know what’s good about smoked pulled pork? Everything.
The Healing Blues By Anita Schlank, Ph.D.
The frightening new realities caused by today’s worldwide pandemic have got us all on edge. Fortunately for us, the blues can help. Listening to and playing music can enhance well-being and reduce pain and suffering. Whether it’s the beauty found in sad tones, the simplicity of chord structure allowing for increased emotional expression, or the catharsis of hearing blues singers speak about struggles that are similar to one’s own, blues music is uniquely situated to see us through tough times. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Anita Schlank, Ph.D. and bluesman Tab Benoit teamed up to coauthor Blues Therapy to raise awareness about mental illness and share the wonderful healing aspects of this music.
The Jus’ Blues Music Foundation
Best known for the Jus’ Blues Music Awards and Conference held each summer in Tunica, MS, the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation also presents workshops on how to use technology to reach new audiences, brings blues into schools, offers songwriting workshops and sponsors tours of blues heritage locations. If it’s something to do with advocating the blues, you can bet Jus’ Blues is working to support it. Find out more about their projects in this feature!
Blues; An African Sonic Response By Pascal Bokar Thiam, Ed.D.
Is there an African blues? Dr. Pascal Bokar Thiam – a.k.a. musician Pascal Bokar, Father of the Afro Blue Grazz sound – schools us on the African roots of the blues, as well as African artists who continue the tradition of incorporating African musical aesthetics to animate the genre. Read more to learn how the blues speaks to our collective humanity beyond race and nationality.
Jammin’ On The High C’s
On Board the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise By Mitch Woods
Accompany jump-swing piano torchbearer Mitch Woods on board the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, as he invites us into the piano bar scene, which is known to jam on ‘til dawn. You never know what will happen or who will show up. And while “What happens on the Blues Cruise, stays on the Blues Cruise,” Woods shares a few hilarious stories that will get you fired up to jump on board the next ship.
Living Legend: Charlie Musselwhite By Eric Steiner
Living legend Charlie Musselwhite is known as an electric blues harp player, essential to the genre to the blues. Having cut his musical teeth alongside Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and everyone on the South Side of Chicago in the early 1960s, more than 20 albums later, Musselwhite is at the top of his game. This feature pays homage to this legendary bluesman.
2020 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Recipients
Keeping the blues alive is essential, especially in these times when we need it most. This year, the Blues Foundation granted the Keeping the Blues Alive Award to two festivals: the Cali Blues & Folk Festival of Cali, Colombia, and the Jimiway Blues Festival in Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland. Find out how these festivals are perpetuating the blues for their international audiences.
AND MORE!
Hey blues businesses, artists, bands, festival, club… have you ordered your print AD in the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine? Our print deadline is looming so please don’t hesitate to call us today to brainstorm and find out what great Discounts & Package Deals we have available!
Main office: 707-630-3304 / Kaati’s cell: 775-846-8238
