Monroe County Library System Celebrates 25 Years Of The Black History Month Blues Series With Free Concerts
The Monroe County Library System’s award-winning celebration of multiculturalism, community spirit and the blues, “the roots of all American music,” marks its Silver Anniversary in February with a schedule of 10 free concerts for music fans of all ages. Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Series begins on Tuesday, January 31, with “The True Facts,” a musical oral history of the event featuring two of its key players—in more ways than one--Rev. Robert B. Jones and Peter Madcat Ruth.
What began in 1988 with Rev. Jones celebrating Black History Month with an educational, entertaining “musical lecture” at the Navarre Branch Library has grown into a nationally known, award-winning, month-long community collaboration. Tens of thousands of music fans of all ages have participated in free concerts, workshops and lectures. The project has garnered awards from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, the Public and Michigan Library Associations, the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies and a Certificate of Special Tribute from the Office of the Governor of the State of Michigan. In 2009, The Blues Foundation presented the Blues Series with its prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Education.
“Tuesdays are Bluesdays” throughout the series as each Tuesday evening features a free concert at a Monroe County Library System facility.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Ellis - 7:00pm Rev. Robert B. Jones, Peter Madcat Ruth & Tim McGorey Detroit multi-instrumentalist, educator and storyteller Rev. Robert B. Jones, Ann Arbor harmonica legend Peter Madcat Ruth and series creator Tim McGorey reveal “The True Facts,” as insider stories, rare video clips and plenty of acoustic roots music relates the unique and unlikely story of 25 years of Black History Month Blues in Monroe County. 7:00 pm, Ellis Library & Reference Center - 3700 S. Custer, Monroe, MI
Tuesday, February 7, 2012, Carleton - 7:00pm Samuel James One of the roots music world’s hottest young artists, Samuel James, has been called “part Bill Withers, part Tom Waits, part James Brown, part Leo Kottke, and part P.T. Barnum.” He refers to himself as a troubadour, mixing impeccable, dynamic musicianship with compelling storytelling and songwriting. (He’s even been known to show off his dance moves.) 7:00 pm, Carleton Branch Library - 1444 Kent, Carleton, MI
Tuesday, February 14, 2012, Dorsch - 7:00pm Shari Kane & Big Dave Steele/Rachael Davis & Dominic John Mark Valentine’s Day at “LOVEFEST 2012,” starring a pair of Michigan’s most highly acclaimed musical (and life) partners. Ann Arbor-based blues guitarists/vocalists Shari Kane & Big Dave Steele and Lansing-area singer/songwriters Rachael Davis & Dominic John will team up for an evening of songs and stories of love, heartbreak and all the bittersweet places in between. 7:00 pm, Dorsch Memorial Branch Library - 18 E. First, Monroe, MI
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, Ellis - 7:00pm Farmer Jason It’s MOOZAPALOOZA! when Nashville-based Farmer Jason makes his triumphant return to the Ellis Library. “Twin brother” of Americana music legend Jason Ringenberg, Farmer Jason’s performances are rocket-fueled tractor rides for “kids of all ages” with plenty of audience participation. Celebrating the release of his third CD, Nature Jams, Farmer Jason writes songs inspired by life on his farm (“Doggie Dance,” “Guitar-Pickin’ Chicken”) and his hikes in the forest (“Punk Rock Skunk,” “Moose on the Loose”). 7:00 pm, Ellis Library & Reference Center - 3700 S. Custer, Monroe, MI
Farmer Jason also headlines Bluesapalooza! 2012, RSVP-only matinee concerts for Monroe County youngsters on February 14. For more info on Bluesapalooza!, phone (734) 241-5277.
Thursday, February 16, 2012, Navarre - 7:00pm Johnnie Bassett, Alberta Adams, and R.J. Spangler & the Rhythm Rockers Guitarist Johnnie Bassett and vocalist Alberta Adams, the King and Queen of Detroit Blues, return to Monroe for a special intimate performance at the MCLS branch library where the Blues Series began in 1988. Over the course of his 60+ year career, Bassett has performed with artists from Big Joe Turner and John Lee Hooker to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and Tina Turner. As a solo artist, he’s recorded several critically acclaimed discs and received the Detroit Blues Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Alberta Adams, 94 years young, has been performing since the 1930s, tap-dancing and singing with the likes of Duke Ellington, Louis Jordan and Lionel Hampton and recording for Chess and Cannonball Records. Bassett and Adams will be joined by Detroit’s R.J. Spangler & the Rhythm Rockers.
This concert is sponsored by The Jazz Foundation.
7:00 pm, Navarre Branch Library - 1135 E. Second, Monroe, MI
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, Bedford - 7:00pm Mark “Mr. B” Braun Blues and boogie-woogie piano with Mark “Mr. B” Braun, a rare living link to the first generation of blues and boogie pianists, like Little Brother Montgomery and Boogie Woogie Red, he sought out and received lessons from before their deaths. Collaborations with acts like John Hammond, Marcus Belgrave and Duke Robillard and appearances on “Mountain Stage” and NPR’s “All Things Considered” have only expanded the audience for this Michigan treasure. 7:00 pm, Bedford Branch Library - 8575 Jackman, Temperance, MI
Saturday, February 25, 2012, Meyer Theater, MCCC - 7:00pm “THE BIG GIG!” is Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Concert, a star-studded evening featuring a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of Blues Series alumni. Rev. Robert B. Jones will (for the 25th year) host and kick things off, and in 2012 he’ll be joined by the likes of Peter Madcat Ruth, legendary Muddy Waters Band guitarist Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, the “Music Makin’ Mama” herself, pianist/guitarist Ann Rabson, mandolin virtuoso Rich DelGrosso, boogie-woogie piano powerhouseDaryl Davis, Detroit blues diva Thornetta Davis, roots rock power trio George Bedard & the Kingpins, and drummer Mike Shimmin and bassist Dominic John. (And, it’s more than likely, a surprise guest or three before the final bows are taken.) 7:00 pm, Monroe County Community College, Meyer Theater
The Big Gig! is an extremely popular event—no ticket is required, seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until venue capacity is reached. Doors open at 6:00 pm.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, Ellis - 7:00pm Ralphe Armstrong, Ray Kamalay, and John Reynolds with special guest Rich DelGrosso The silver anniversary festivities conclude with a fond remembrance of one of the most entertaining and intriguing artists in Blues Series history, Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, who was the last surviving African American string band musician when he passed away in 2003. Howard’s music, life and legacy will be celebrated by his son, bassist Ralphe Armstrong, guitarist Ray Kamalay and multi-instrumentalist John Reynolds, with special guest Rich DelGrosso, all of whom played with Howard and have tons of anecdotes to share.
7:00 pm, Ellis Library & Reference Center - 3700 S. Custer, Monroe, MI
For more information on the Black History Month Blues Series, phone (734) 241-5277.
Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Series is presented by the Monroe County Library System and made possible with the generous support of the 2012 Blues Coalition of community co-sponsors:
Monroe County Community College
DTE Energy Foundation
Friends of Ellis
Friends of Bedford
Friends of Carleton
Friends of the Dorsch Memorial Branch Library
Detroit Blues Society
Additional funding is provided by:
Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and Arts Alliance.
The Feb. 16th event is made possible by The Jazz Foundation.
