Page 38 - Akae Beka

Celebrating
25 Years!

Twenty-five years in and just getting started – the Jus’ Blues system. Presentations covered the history of Beale Street by Music
Music Foundation keeps growing and finding new ways to Specialist Allen Johnston, the life and legacy of Memphis Minnie
support and celebrate the deepest roots of America’s music. by songstress Toni Green, the history of how B.B. King came to
The Foundation is a long-standing nonprofit working to preserve Beale Street by B.B. King Museum Operations Director Robert
blues heritage through performances and education. Terrell, the history of the harmonica and the blues by Damion “Yella
Best known for the Jus’ Blues Music Awards and Conference P” Pierson, and stories and performance by historian, educator
held each summer in Tunica, MS, the Foundation does much and Grammy Award-winning bluesman Bobby Rush. Instilling the
more. It also regularly presents workshops on how to use significance of blues history and love for blues music in today’s
technology to reach new audiences, brings blues into schools, youth ensures a healthy future for the blues.
offers songwriting workshops and sponsors tours of blues The Foundation’s crown jewel, the Jus’ Blues Music Awards,
heritage locations. If it’s something to do with advocating the began back in 1995 as the Atlanta Heritage Blues Festival.
blues, you can bet Jus’ Blues is working to support it. Founder and CEO Charles Mitchell has been working in the
For example, their annual event hosts a two-day Technology music industry for over 30 years. He explains, “I grew up hearing
Conference featuring presentations from renowned blues artists, this music. It’s what my parents listened to. I love it.” Though the
attorneys, historians and social media marketers on the various Awards show has evolved and moved on from Georgia, to Beale
ways to better promote, protect, market, sell and get music heard Street in Memphis, to the Mississippi Delta, Jus’ Blues has always
in today’s technological age. operated with the central goal of recognizing blues and soul
The Foundation also boasts the impressive “Blues Got A Soul” artists who are frequently overlooked.
(BGAS) initiative, which brings educational programs to youth The Jus’ Blues experience was conceptualized and has
and adults, to help inspire a deep understanding and lifelong been led from its earliest days by African Americans who are
appreciation of the music. BGAS programs include classes on determined to keep their music alive. Jus’ Blues events are an
blues history and legends, the business of music, blues lyrics, immersion into the African American cultural experience with a
women in blues, Delta blues preservation, technical workshops, large, welcoming family of artists and attendees all celebrating
instruments, and blues artist performances, jam sessions and meet- the origins of the blues, as well as the many new styles emerging
and-greets. For instance, the BGAS’s 2020 Black History Month as the genre continues to evolve.
presented to over 100 students from the Shelby County, TN, school “Honoring the wonderful work of musicians and other
industry professionals, no matter what color or nationality they
are, is important. Jus’ Blues is dedicated to recognizing Black
blues and soul artists who don’t always get recognition from
mainstream media, and often don’t even get to perform at large
blues festivals,” says Mitchell.
Mitchell’s drive has been to keep blues history alive and
blues men and women working and recording. This intention can
be seen in the names of the individual awards given out each
year, which are named in honor of blues legends including B.B.
and Albert King, Koko Taylor, Little Milton and Muddy Waters –
ensuring their contributions to the blues remains front and center
in our collective memory.
Bobby "Blue" Bland, Denise LaSalle and Bobby Rush have
all been regular attendees of the Awards show and, at times,
performers as well. Latimore, Theodis Ealey, Millie Jackson,
Founder and CEO Charles Mitchell (lt) and legendary blues Drummer Tony “TC”
Coleman (ctr) with BGAS’s Best Academy students. Willie Clayton and Trudy Lynn have also participated in the
Photo courtesy of Jus’ Blues Music Foundation growth of the Foundation.

36 Blues Festival Guide 2020