:: Saturday, April 24, 2004 ::

West Eats Meet in Canada

TORONTO (CP) — The most frequent discussion following a Harry Manx show is usually about the odd instrument used by the blues artist.

Very few people own, let alone play, the mohan veena, a 20-string member of the guitar family from India. Forty-nine-year-old Manx picked up the skill while living in India and has integrated the sound with his lap-slide guitar blues. This week he released his fifth record in four years, West Eats Meet.

The tongue-twister title is a spin on a more familiar phrase.

"I would have loved to have called the album East Meets West because that's really the essence of what I do . . . but the title carries so much baggage," says the singer over the phone from the Vancouver airport, where he's just returned from a sold-out showcase in Singapore.

"I think people know what I'm hinting at."

Born on the Isle of Man off the coast of England, Manx came to Canada at age six. As a teen he worked as a sound technician at the famous El Mocambo club in downtown Toronto, mixing for the likes of Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters.

"That's really where I cut my teeth with the music industry. The blues was a lasting impression for me," says the soft-spoken musician. "It was Buddy Guy and Junior Wells playing there that just sealed the deal for me."

Along the way he fell in love with Indian music and moved to India where he studied with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt for five years. The renowned musician taught Manx to play his instrument, the mohan veena, making the young student one of just a handful in the world to acquire the skill.

George Harrison visited Bhatt —who won a Grammy in 1993 for a collaboration with Ry Cooder —while Manx was under his tutelage.

"He took a mohan veena with him," recalled Manx. "The word was that he was trying to learn it."

Manx returned to Canada in 2000 and began recording albums, artfully mixing the highly emotive mohan veena with North American blues.

"A lot of westerners can't take too much of the sound of Indian classical music unless they really have a passion for it. It's all so foreign to their ear that it all tends to sound the same," says Manx, who now lives on Salt Spring Island, B.C. "I take the flavour and mix it with something else that's familiar to them."

Some of Manx's most popular songs are his covers, which include B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone", Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" and Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady".

"I like to do it because it tickles people a lot," he says. "It gives people a chance to gauge my approach to an average song —how I can take a blues or rock ballad and infuse it with some eastern feeling."

On his latest effort, he does Willie Dixon's "Help Me" and "Sittin' on Top of the World", made famous by the Mississippi Sheiks in 1930 and later by Howlin' Wolf.

With little advertising support, Manx has managed to carve out a steady career largely based on word of mouth. He's sold close to 80,000 albums in four years (a large chunk from the side of the stage) and performs to sold-out crowds in Australia and Canada.

"I've never seen anything like it in the blues world," says Brian Blain, editor of several music publications include Maple Blues, a monthly newsletter for the Toronto Blues Society.

"People plug away for 10, 20 or 30 years and yet Harry kind of struck like a lightning bolt. Within two or three years he had got to a level that other people take a couple of decades to get to."

Manx plans to start manufacturing the mohan veena in partnership with Bhatt and to put out some instructional videos on Indian slide guitar technique.

This summer he'll be touring in the U.S., with a gig at the all-important Chicago Blues Festival. Canadian gigs include May 8 at Toronto's Jane Mallett Theatre; July 24-25 at the Festival Memoire et Racines in Joliette, Que.; Aug. 6-8 at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival in Lunenberg, N.S.; and Aug. 27-28 at the Ottawa Folk Festival.

On the Net:
www.harrymanx.com

:: Les Coles Saturday, April 24, 2004 [+] ::

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Blues Briefs

James Brown's Wife Gets First Marriage Dissolved
James Brown's wife has dissolved her marriage from her first husband so Brown can annul his marriage with her and then marry her again.

A family court judge in Charleston, S.C., has dissolved Tomi Rae Brown's first marriage to Javed Ahmed of Pakistan.

She married James Brown three years ago while still legally married to Ahmed.

Brown filed for an annulment from his wife, backup singer Tomi Rae Brown, after he was charged with domestic violence in January. But the annulment couldn't proceed until his wife's first marriage was dissolved.

Brown's lawyer said the couple will remarry after the annulment is granted.

Lenny Kravitz Heads To The Big Screen
Lenny Kravitz is going to be a movie star. MTV report Kravitz will make his big screen debut in 'Barbecues and Bar Mitzvahs'.

Kravitz has been involved in many movies over the years but only as a contributor to the soundtracks. His songs have been featured in 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me', 'Reality Bites', 'Coyote Ugly', 'Blue Crush', 'Bruce Almighty' and 'Bad Boys II'.

He has always been involved with film. His mother Roxie Roker played Helen Willis in The Jeffersons. His father Sy Kravitz was a producer for NBC.

Kravitz tells MTV the movie is like a Woody Allen film and not about music. Screening will begin at the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the new Kravitz album Baptism will be released in May.

Sheryl Crow To Perform While High
Sheryl Crow is going to perform high —5.6 miles high to be exact. On May 4, she will perform live on a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Los Angeles.

The performance is to launch Sony's new download service Sony Connect and their new digital Walkman player.

Fans who download from the site will also receive frequent flyer points from United Airlines.

Sheryl's mid-air performance will be recorded and available for download from the Sony site www.connect.com later in the month.

Sony connect announced their download service at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. More than 500,000 tracks will be available through the service. The files are encoded in Sony's ATRAC3 format and will retail for 99 cents per track or $9.95 for an album.

Blue Skies...
Blues Trust Productions is pleased to announce JetBlue Airways as a Boston Blues Festival sponsor. JetBlue will be flying artists to the event and participating in a program that Blues Trust Productions has been pursuing. Boston Blues artists will be traveling to other regions in the United States, sponsored by Blues Trust Productions, JetBlue Airways and possibly some other famous Boston area business. Stay tuned for more details on this initiative.

In addition to transporting Blues artists, one round trip ticket from Boston to any JetBlue Airways destination, will be up for grabs at a raffle during the Boston Blues Festival. JetBlue Airways, offering low fares, new planes and up to 24-channels of free DIRECTV service at every comfy leather seat. It's not the only way to fly. But it should be. Check out JetBlue.com for our lowest available fares.

Related post: "Boston Blues @ Melrose place Diner" (April 19)

Focus on New Orleans in Multi-day Events—Matassa Featured
Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be premiering the acclaimed music feature Deacon John's Jump Blues, which was produced by Baton Rouge's Vetter Communications, on Feb. 10 as part of a series of events recognizing Black History Month. New Orleans is the focus of several of the special programs on tap with an array of legendary musicians, producers and more taking part. Several inductees, including Allen Toussaint, Dave Bartholomew and Earl Palmer will take part. Most heartening, is the recognition and featuring of Cosimo Matassa.

Though he has yet to be inducted, this series will help bring to light Matassa's contributions to music and society as the owner and engineer of the legendary studios in which more Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees first recorded than any other. The LMC has long advocated that Cosimo Matassa should be inducted into the RnRHOF. Writer Jeff Hannusch is also participating in the series and will conduct interviews. Our thanks to all who put this amazing series of performances, interviews and presentations together.

Related post: "Deacon John's Jump Blues wins Best Concert Video" (Jan. 12)

:: Les Coles Saturday, April 24, 2004 [+] ::

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2004 Detroit Music Awards Winners

I mentioned the Detroit Music Awards Winners a few posts back on account of how the Butler Twins were to be honored at the awards. At the time of writing, Curtis Butler was still alive (brother Clarence having passed in December). With the loss of Curtis on April 9, the tribute took on an added poignancy.

DETROIT, PRNewswire, (April 23) — The White Stripes, Bob Seger and The Romantics were among the top winners at the 2004 Detroit Music Awards, presented Friday night (April 23) at the State Theatre in downtown Detroit.

The White Stripes won two awards, Outstanding National Major Label Album for Elephant and Outstanding National Single for Seven Nation Army. Both titles won Grammy Awards earlier this year.

New Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bob Seger's Greatest Hits 2 took home Outstanding Anthology/Compilation/Reissue honors, while The Romantics' 61/49, the group's first full-length effort in 17 years, was named Outstanding National Small/Independent Label Album.

The night's biggest winner was singer-songwriter Liz Larin, who won a combined five Detroit Music Awards from the Rock/Pop and Folk/Acoustic fields. Jazz trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave won three Detroit Music Awards, while nine acts took home two awards each — Sista Otis & the Wholly Rollers, the Tangerine Trousers, Thornetta Davis, The Forbes Brothers, Amy Heard, Chris Codish of The Brothers Groove, Detroit Women in R&B, Brett Lucas and record producer Roscoe (aka Brian White).

Friday's show marked the 12th annual ceremony for the Detroit Music Awards, which started in 1992 as the Motor City Music Awards. Trophies were presented in 61 categories. Distinguished Achievement Awards were presented to electronic pioneer Juan Atkins and the blues duo The Butler Twins, while Special Achievement Awards went to WDET-FM and the Detroit Historical Museum's exhibit Techno: Detroit's Gift to the World.

:: Les Coles Saturday, April 24, 2004 [+] ::

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Barbershop Blues

Deal to turn Mississippi barbershop cut
Clarkesdale, Miss. —Tourism officials have canceled a deal to turn Wade Walton's former barbershop into a museum honoring the famous barber and bluesman. The deal was scrapped after his son missed a deadline to start the project, officials said. Kenneth Lackey had until March 31 to renovate the vacant building and fill it with artifacts depicting his father's life, said Coahoma County tourism commissioners last week. So far, they said, that has not been done. Commissioners voted to send Lackey a letter informing him that his deal to lease the building, which the commission owns, is off. It is the second time Lackey tried unsuccessfully to turn the building at 317 Issaquena Ave. into a museum. "The board would certainly like to work with him, and we hope something can be worked out," said Tourism Commission Manager Kappi Allen. "We're just not sure that because he missed the deadline that Mr. Lackey is in a position to work it out right now."



Lackey did not return a phone call seeking comment for this story. In December, Lackey got the green light from the Tourism Commission to lease his father's old shop rent-free for one year. If the venture had proved successful after the initial 12 months, the musician and entertainer would have started paying rent. Lackey was the second person in 2003 to lease the building. Last summer, Jerry McCray briefly opened a Super Q barbecue inside the tiny structure but closed it after a short time.



Commissioners said they would be willing to work with Lackey again if he presented himself. They cautioned, however, that the lease was effectively void and that they could enter into a contract with a different party at any time.



Lackey's father was perhaps best known for his 1958 recording which was widely distributed in Europe — The Blues of Wade Walton: Shake'em on Down. During the civil-rights era he traveled across Mississippi setting up branches of the NAACP with Dr. Aaron E. Henry and worked with Medgar Evers and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Later he played a harmonica solo at Dr. Henry's funeral. Walton was named to Clarksdale's first Hall of Fame and performed frequently for civic groups, including the Opera Study Club meeting at Carnegie Public Library where he performed a rendition of Caldonia.



Source: EMILY Le COZ, Clarksdale Press Register

:: Les Coles Saturday, April 24, 2004 [+] ::

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Boulder blues

Otis Taylor may be Boulders's best—kept musical secret, the 55—year—old bluesman is in the middle of an improbable mid—life career resurgence, one built, in part, on haunting tales of lynchings and murder in the Deep South.

In the last few years, Taylor's stark, guttural blues records have earned him fawning reviews and some of the genre's top honors. He's toured North America and Europe, performing at prestigious gatherings like the Montreal Jazz Festival. And Taylor's 2003 disc, Truth is Not Fiction, was hailed as one of last year's best albums by critics at the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Musically, Taylor's profile never has been higher — except in the town he's called home since 1967. Despite his acclaim, Taylor rarely performs in Boulder; his brand of soul—baring blues just doesn't seem to fit in this college town's rock scene.

Read on...

Double V

Otis Taylor
1. Please Come Home Before it Rains   (listen)
2. Took Their Land   (listen)
3. Plastic Spoon   (listen)
4. Mama's Selling Heroin   (listen)
5. 505 Train
6. Mandan Woman
7. Sounds of Attica
8. It's Done Happened Again
9. He Never Raced On Sunday
10. Hurry Home
11. Reindeer Meat
12. Buy Myself Some Freedom

Demonstrating a deep connection to his heritage, the title Double V is symbolic of the civil rights movement. "After World War II, the black soldiers would hold up their hands and make a 'V' out of their middle and index fingers," Taylor explains. "This stood for victory at home and in Europe. The 'V' is also indicative of the blacks unremitting fight for the right to vote."


Tour Dates
April
26 Boulder Theater (opening for Taj Mahal) — Boulder, CO (BAND)
29 W.C. Handy Blues Awards — Memphis, TN

May
1 Eccles Performing Arts Center — W.C. Handy Allstar Tour — Park City, UT (SOLO)
2 Beale Street Music Festival — Memphis, TN (BAND)
5 Biscuits & Blues — San Francisco, CA (SOLO)
6 Freight & Salvage — Berkeley, CA (SOLO)
8 Metro Fountain Blues Festival — San Jose, CA (BAND)
28—29 Bamboo Room — Lake Worth, FL (BAND) June
11 Satalla — New York, NY (BAND)
12 Stephen Talkhouse — Amagansett, NY (BAND)
13 Billtown Blues Festival — Hughesville, PA (BAND)
18 Unsettling Memories — 930 Blues Cafe & Jackson State University — Jackson, MS

July
3 Summerfest — Milwaukee, WI (BAND)
30 Providence Jazz & Blues Festival — Providence, RI (BAND)

August
1 Cole Park — Alamosa, CO (BAND)
6 Berks Jazz Festival — Reading, PA (BAND)v
14 Joseph Bronze Blues & Brews Festival — Joseph, OR (BAND)
25 Sunset Concert Series — Mountain Village, CO (BAND)
26 Jazz Aspen — Snowmass Village, CO (BAND)

On the Web:
0tis Taylor Web site
Telarc (to order Double V)

:: Les Coles Saturday, April 24, 2004 [+] ::

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Renee Austin In "Blues Divas" TV Series

Blind Pig Records is proud to announce that vocalist extraordinaire Renee Austin will be part of "Blues Divas," a three day concert and film project that will take place at the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi on April 30th through May 2nd.

Over that weekend, Mississippi Public Broadcasting will be staging and shooting full-length concerts by eight of the most soulful female performers in the history of blues and R&B. The multi-part series will ultimately be viewed as a high-definition TV series on PBS, as well as a home video series to be titled "Blues Divas." The series is being produced and directed by Robert Mugge (Deep Blues, Last of the Mississippi Jukes) and executive produced by Ty Warren of MPB.

Austin's performance will take place at 7:00 pm on Friday. "I was so excited and honored to be included in this fabulous lineup," says the Minneapolis-based singer and songwriter. The other performers in the series are Deborah Coleman, Bettye Lavette, Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples, Odetta, Ann Peebles, and Denise LaSalle. The Ground Zero Blues Club is owned by actor Morgan Freeman and former head of the Blues Foundation Howard Stovall.

The previous evening, Thursday, April 29, Austin will be performing in Memphis at the W.C. Handy Awards show, where she's nominated for the prestigious "Best New Artist Debut" award for her Blind Pig album titled Sweet Talk.

Tickets for the Ground Zero shows are $16 per individual performance and can be purchased at Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art at 252 Delta Avenue in Clarksdale or charged by phone at 662-624-5992.


Listen to "A Little Bit of Texas"

Mo' Info

Blues Divas in Clarksdale Ticket Information
Want to come to the Handys and would like to make a weekend out of it but cant't find a downtown hotel or don't like those weekend hotel prices???

In addition to the music of the Beale Street Music Festival beginning the day after the Handys, Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi will host for an amazing 7-part concert series titled "BLUES DIVAS," on the weekend after the Handys. It will star some of blues and r&b's biggest female names. These concerts will be videotaped by Mississippi Public Broadcasting for a 7-hour high-definition TV and home video series. The series is being produced and directed by Robert Mugge (Deep Blues, Last of the Mississippi Jukes, etc.) and executive produced by Ty Warren of MPB. A limited number of tickets will be available for each show.

Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art at 252 Delta Avenue in Clarksdale is proud to be the exclusive pre-sale ticket source for the BLUES DIVAS concert series. Tickets can be purchased in-person or charged by phone at 662-624-5992, Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm. Visa or MasterCard is preferred.

Tickets for individual shows are $16 each (includes $1 per ticket handling charge). You can either pick them up at Cat Head, or we can send them to you ($1 mailing charge per order of up to 10 tickets). For orders received after Friday, April 23rd, there may be an additional charge for two-day mailing service to ensure that your tickets arrive in time. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Please note that tickets guarantee admittance; they do NOT guarantee a table or seating. Here is the concert

Line-up:
April 30: 7pm Renee Austin 10pm Deborah Coleman Jam
May 1: 3pm Bettye Lavette 6pm Irma Thomas 9pm Mavis Staples
May 2: 12pm Odetta 3pm Ann Peebles 6pm Denise LaSalle

NOTE: During the event Cat Head will feature special hours and free "live" entertainment. Details to come.

Mississippi Public Broadcasting will be documenting the 25th Anniversary W.C. Handy Blues Awards Show on Thursday the 29th for a separate 90-minute TV and home video distribution.

On The Web:
www.cathead.biz/livemusic.html
www.groundzerobluesclub.com
www.blues.org
Blind Pig Records
Renee Austin

:: Les Coles Friday, April 23, 2004 [+] ::

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Jazzfest numbers may hit flat note

NOLA (April 23)—This year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is expected to be only slightly bigger than last year's downsized event.

Last year, attendance at Jazzfest dropped about 10 percent to about 450,000 people. Organizers believe that the event shrank because the buildup to the Iraq war occurred during the time when people would have been making reservations.

Festival Productions Inc. , the company that puts on Jazzfest for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, said ticket sales and bookings are running slightly ahead of last year. They hope the buzz of the seven-day annual music festival's 35th anniversary and the international draw of this year's celebration of 10 years of democracy in South Africa will bring more people to dance in the sunshine when the festival begins today.

"Attendance is always hard to predict, but indications are good," said Louis Edwards, associate producer for the festival.

Bob Bourg, president of Destination Management Inc., the official tour company of the festival, said it's getting harder to predict how big the festival will be. With the Internet, it's easier for people to plan a trip without buying a package or book last-minute. This year, there's been an unusually large last-minute rush.

"I don't know if this year is going to be any better then last year. It may be about the same," Bourg said. "The way that people buy has changed so radically in the last couple of years with the Internet."

Even with two large conventions in town — the 11,000-person American College of Physicians annual meeting the first weekend of Jazzfest, and the 24,000-attendee annual meeting of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association starting on the second — hotels still say it's no banner time for the industry because there are so many new hotel rooms.

"With our room inventory over 37,000 rooms now, no single event will completely fill the city," said Bryan Dupepe Jr., president of the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association and owner of three area hotels.

"Jazzfest is looking OK," said Mark Sanders, general manager of the New Orleans Marriott and chairman of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. "I would venture to say that Jazzfest is as strong as it was in the past. It's just that with all the hotel rooms in the city, there's not the compression that there once was."

:: Les Coles Friday, April 23, 2004 [+] ::

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Lights, Camera, Blues

Alan Greenberg's screenplay on the life of blues legend Robert Johnson came easy, and so did others' interest in it. Now with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs tentatively on board and an inked deal in the works, "Love in Vain" finally may reach the screen.

The life of filmmaker Alan Greenberg would make quite a provocative movie. Maybe not an effects-marinated blockbuster, more like an artsy adventure film with poetic dialogue and mesmeric imagery. Perhaps something like Woody Allen's "Zelig"; a story of a little-known, but driven, man who surfaces at various points in history, accompanied by internationally famous figures, and his relentless struggle to make a definitive artistic statement.

Greenberg's career has fallen into place along similar lines. Since the early '70s he has collaborated with, worked for and palled around with directors such as Werner Herzog, Martin Scorsese and David Lynch. He casually mentions musician chums who include Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Oh, yeah, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

Combs reportedly is attached to Greenberg's screenplay, "Love in Vain" about legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, the '30s singer noted for allegedly selling his soul to the devil in exchange for blues virtuosity.

Greenberg wrote the screenplay 25 years ago and has been trying to get the darned thing made ever since. He says that at different times, directors Scorsese and Tim Blake Nelson were going to take a crack at it — and for one reason or another, both of them passed. Now Greenberg himself hopes to take over the directing chores. Filming is tentatively slated to begin near Clarksdale, Miss., in September. Knock wood.

Also a poet, ghostwriter and photographer, Greenberg, 54, has lived in Portland since 1998, moving here after a divorce to stay close to his ex-wife and two children.

Key meetings in Europe
Born in New York City, Greenberg moved to Florida when he was 8 and eventually enrolled at Georgetown University. "That was in like another life for me," he says.

"When the Kent State murders (1971) occurred, I dropped out. I later went up to Clark University in Worcester, Mass., for a semester where I wrote a screenplay for (a class) project, and I raised money through the school to shoot a film. I shot the film down in Miami for half the money they gave me, took the other half and went to Paris, and they never saw me again!"

Finding himself footloose on the continent, Greenberg says he managed to bluff his way into a job with Film International, a European film magazine. He landed assignments dogging the sets of such famed directors as Federico Fellini and Bernardo Bertolucci, occasionally getting additional work as a unit photographer.

But it wasn't until he met acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog in Cannes, France, that things began to click for Greenberg. Herzog, the director of such films as "Aguirre, the Wrath of God," "Fitzcarraldo" and "Nosferatu," took an immediate shine to the nervy American. Greenberg wrote the book "Heart of Glass" about the making of the Herzog movie of the same name and has worked off and on with the German director in various capacities over the years.

"He's (Greenberg) a good old friend," Herzog says. "He's always been a good adviser. We have a long, ongoing friendship."

Bluesman's life stands out
Being in the company of distinguished film giants ignited Greenberg's desire to indulge his own cinematic vision: He decided to write a screenplay about a personal obsession — blues icon Robert Johnson.

"I was living in New York and working for Paramount Pictures for a brief time," Greenberg says. "All my records were packed up, and the only record I kept out to play was the second of the Columbia Robert Johnson LPs. I set it up so it would play over and over and over again. It really got under my skin.

"Yet it wasn't so much the quality of the music that got me. It was putting what I was hearing into the context of the liner notes of the first album, which at that time was the only information about Robert Johnson available. It said that he was so sensitive that he couldn't face people when he played; he had to face the wall. And that he died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 27. He was murdered, and he was last seen barking like a dog and running off into a swamp. And that's what absolutely intrigued me, and that's what made me decide to do ‘Love in Vain.' " The film is named after a Johnson song made famous by the Rolling Stones.

"I was interested in his innocence and his animas, whatever it was that was driving him," Greenberg continues. "That and the fact that he was living in this incredibly oppressive holocaust and somehow managed to rise up to this lofty level."

Before he'd even completed a script for the film, Greenberg says he quickly found a patron for the project.

"It was bought by Mick Jagger when I was still on Page 30," Greenberg says. "I finished writing it in March of '79. ... And Mick was my partner for 3 1/2 years.

Greenberg had thought Jagger was a natural for the project.

"I knew Mick's recording of 'Love in Vain' (from the Stones album Let It Bleed) before I knew Robert Johnson's. That's what got me interested in Robert Johnson. I always had this feeling that he must love Robert Johnson and the blues so much that he'd be someone I could go to.

"One day I had this strange idea to leave a note at Mick's girlfriend's modeling agency with the receptionist. He'd just taken up with Jerry Hall. I left a note for Jerry asking if she would pass on this proposal for a film about Robert Johnson to Mick Jagger." Greenberg says he and Jagger tried to get the film into production from 1979 until 1982.


The screenplay — a wondrous and vivid imagining of the Johnson story — was published in 1983. The jacket is peppered with enthusiastic quotes from notable music critics such as Greil Marcus and Robert Palmer, as well as Elvis Presley biographer Peter Guralnick. But early efforts to get the story committed to film were thwarted by fateful events.

"After a few years, we were down in Mississippi doing preproduction. We'd spent about $300,000, and then one of our two financiers was murdered by his son," Greenberg says.

From Mick to Martin Scorsese (who wrote the forward for the second edition of "Love in Vain," Da Capo Press, 1994), the script continued to founder for years despite unanimous praise from everyone who read it.

"I started referring to it as ‘Film in Vain,' " Greenberg says a touch wistfully.

David Lynch ("Blue Velvet," "The Straight Story"), while being interviewed on "The Charlie Rose Show," called it one of the best scripts he'd ever read.

"It's a very good screenplay," Herzog says, "but in its published form it's more a piece of literature."

Herzog thinks the script has too many songs and needs to be pared down. "But he's good at grafting the ... climate of song and performing artist," he says of Greenberg.





Send a Robert Johnson e-card


Next stop, Jamaica
In the early '80s, when "Love in Vain" was at a standstill, Greenberg took off to Jamaica with a small film crew and made the seat-of-the-pants documentary "Land of Look Behind." Ostensibly about the death of reggae icon Bob Marley, including moving footage of his funeral, it's also an intriguing, up-close study of Rastafarian culture.

Greenberg recalls the shoot wasn't exactly smooth sailing.

"Our film crew was kidnapped ... and held captive," Greenberg says. "I had a gun pointed at my head for three days." Eventually Greenberg and his associates escaped the kidnappers, who were under the impression that the tiny company was part of a major Hollywood production.

While his crew was trying to stay one step ahead of the kidnappers, Greenberg was struck by geographical inspiration. "I discovered the remote district of Look Behind, and a mountain valley there called Me-No-Call-You-No-Come, placesthat even native Jamaicanshave never heard of.

"So I told my traumatized crew that the new name of the film was ‘Land of Look Behind,' that we'd be starting where we were ... subsisting on wild fruit and corn."

The lyrical, low-budget documentary garnered enthusiastic reviews and received the Gold Hugo Award for best documentary at the 1982 Chicago International Film Festival.

Greenberg continued to write and dabble in other film projects, but "Love in Vain" was never too far from his mind.

Last year Greenberg negotiated a deal with HBO Films to have the movie made with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs in the role of Robert Johnson and Tim Blake Nelson ("O," "The Grey Zone") directing. As luck would have it, the star and the director didn't see eye to eye, and Nelson left the project. Again, "Love in Vain" had hit a wall.

Undaunted, Greenberg says his business partner, Jeffrey Abelson, is close to securing the financing necessary (between $8 million and $10 million) to get the cameras rolling. And P. Diddy is still on board, for the time being.

"It will be a challenge for him," Greenberg says. "He knew almost nothing about Robert Johnson at first.

"He's taking guitar lessons and voice lessons. Remember, he's never really sung before! And he's going to start with Robert Johnson," Greenberg says with a laugh.

So here's the story of "Love in Vain" so far: We have a hip-hop mogul and novice singer playing one of the greatest bluesmen of all time. The proposed director is a writer with just a single directing credit on his résumé. Only in the movies, folks.

"Well, he (Greenberg) hasn't done much so far, but he has done one excellent film," Herzog observes. "He's a very imaginative man. He's a very fine writer; there's no doubt about that."

Greenberg, for his part, isn't the least bit worried about his relative lack of directorial experience. "Never took any film classes, I've never read a book on film," he says.

"I had a running joke with Herzog when I wrote ‘Love in Vain.' I had one film book. I went into some camera shop, and the cheesiness of this little book caught my eye. It was called ‘How to Direct a Film.' I bought the book, put it on my shelf and said, ‘Werner, before I start shooting ‘Love in Vain,' I will read this, and it will be the first book on film that I've ever read.'"

Source: JOHN CHANDLER, The Portland Tribune

On the Web
See Amazon.com's snips from the book "Love in Vain"

:: Les Coles Friday, April 23, 2004 [+] ::

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Johnny Lang to play Shrine

Jonny Lang will perform July 13 at the Shrine Auditorium.

Tickets cost $29.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. April 30, at all Ticketweb outlets, the Shrine Box Office, Rimrock Mall and Bohemian Music; by phone at (800) 965-4827; or online at ticketswest.com

At 22, Lang is right where he wants to be. His third album Long Time Coming, which was released recently after a four-year hiatus, celebrates several noteworthy firsts for Lang. He wrote or cowrote all but one of the album's tracks and served as its coproducer.

He said he feels good about the album because it honestly reflects who he is.

"I'm the happiest I've ever been, and I've just finished recording an album I couldn't be happier with," Lang said.

Lang burst onto the music scene while still a teenager, earning a Grammy nomination and recording two platinum-selling albums by the time he was 19.

:: Les Coles Friday, April 23, 2004 [+] ::

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Joe Bonamassa announces U.S. tour dates

April 23 — Singer/guitarist Joe Bonamassa delivers the blues to audiences throughout the U.S. during his upcoming spring and summer road trip.

Bonamassa gets things started with an early May performance at the Pacific Beach Block Party in San Diego, followed by late-May sets at the Blues, Brews & BBQ festival in Beaver Creek, CO, on May 29-30.

A mix of headlining and festival dates follow in June, July and August. The complete itinerary appears below, and additional details are posted at Bonamassa's website.

Fans can tape Bonamassa's shows, and are also allowed to take still photographs, according to the official taping-policy section of his website.

"So, It's Like That," Bonamassa's most-recent album, surfaced in 2002. The set is the follow-up to his 2000 solo debut, "A New Day Yesterday."

Now in his 20s, Bonamassa first gained notoriety as a child; the guitarist, who began playing the instrument at age four, was performing with a group of adult bandmates by age 12, by which time he had also opened a show for B.B. King, according to his bio sheet.

Tour Dates
May
8 - San Diego, CA - Pacific Beach Block Party
29, 30 - Beaver Creek, CO - Beaver Creek Resort (Blues, Brews & BBQ)

June
4 - Omaha, NE - Lewis and Clark Landing
11 - Piercy, CA - Kiwanis Redwood Run
13 - Bakersfield, CA - Doubletree Hotel
24 - Green Bay, WI - Oneida Casino
26 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre
27 - Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavilion

July
1 - Stamford, CT - Stamford Park Green
3 - Farmingdale, NY - Downtown
22 - Albany, NY - Empire State Plaza
23 - Lincoln, NE - July Jamm
30 - Prairie du Chien, WI - Prairie Dog Blues Festival
31 - Indianapolis, IN - Broad Ripple Park (8:45 p.m.)
31 - Indianapolis, IN - The Patio (11 p.m.)

August
1 - Dayton, OH - Gilly's
3 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
5 - Fort Wayne, IN - Piere's
6 - Sandwich, IL - Church Street Station
7 - Cedar Rapids, IA - Brucemore Mansion
9 - Bethlehem, PA - Bethlehem Musikfest
12 - Winter Park, CO - Smokin Moe's Ribhouse
14 - Sonora, CA - Mother Lode Fairgrounds
17 - Boston, MA - Sculler's
18 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino
19 - Rochester, NY - Milestones
20 - Williamsville, NY - Club Infinity
21 - Loudonville, OH - Mohican Blues Fest

December
3 - Crystal Lake, IL - Raue Center for the Arts

On the Web:
Joe Bonamassa Web site

:: Les Coles Friday, April 23, 2004 [+] ::

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2 hot ones from Alligator

Two hot new ones out from Alligator Records: Watch Your Back by Guitar Shorty and Release The Hound by Hound Dog Taylor.

These albums don't go on sale to the public until April 27, but you can order both of these terrific new CDs NOW for the low price of $14.98 each (including U.S. shipping and handling)!

Guitar Shorty's Alligator debut, Watch Your Back, burns with heavy rock and roll fire from start to finish, putting Shorty's infectious energy, guitar pyrotechnics and fierce, soulful vocals on full display. The outpouring of emotion, the power of his playing and the strength of the material all add up to the toughest album of Shorty's renowned career. Order this CD now:
http://www.alligator.com/store/album.cfm?AlbumID=AL4895&ArtistID=074

And check out the new digital postcard for Watch Your Back: http://www.alligator.com/flash/4895shorty/

For the first time in 22 years, there's finally more Hound Dog Taylor music to be heard. Release The Hound is a sizzling collection of some of the best (and rawest) previously unreleased Hound Dog Taylor material in existence. The album boasts 14 live and studio performances, including "Wild About You," "Baby, What'd I Say?," "She's Gone," "Sen-Sa-Shun" and "Gonna Send You Back To Georgia." Taylor's wild slide guitar exuberance and joyous, soulful abandon fuel each and every song. This is a must for anyone who digs blues.

Alligator e-mail subscribers can order Release The Hound now for $14.98 and get Hound Dog Taylor—A Tribute (featuring artists such as Luther Allison, Gov't Mule, George Thorogood, Son Seals and many more) for only $4.99.

**Please note—discount for special bonus CD will appear in the checkout section as you complete your order.
Click here to buy one or both CDs right now: http://www.alligator.com/store/album.cfm?AlbumID=AL4896&ArtistID=001

For those who still can't get enough Hound Dog, walligator have got the commemorative Hound Dog Taylor shirt—a two sided bronze image tee on sale for only $15.98.
Click now to order: http://www.alligator.com/store/tshirt.cfm

Take a look at the digital postcard for Release The Hound:
http://www.alligator.com/flash/4896hound/

:: Les Coles Friday, April 23, 2004 [+] ::

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Two religious-music channels on way

Gospel Music Channel, MP Network in the works
NEW YORK (April 22)— Two veteran cable executives plan to start the Gospel Music Channel in the fall, providing a TV outlet for a diverse genre that encompasses soulful church music and Christian rock and rap.

The Gospel Music Channel will be dominated by videos during the day, with such programming as concerts and biographical sketches in prime time.

Charles Humbard, former general manager of the Discovery Networks, and Brad Siegel, former president of Turner Entertainment Networks, are teaming with investors to launch it. Singer Larry Gatlin is also on board as an executive.

"We look at gospel music as the wellspring of so many forms of music today," Humbard said.

They're in a race with the Charlotte, N.C.-based MP Network — short for music & praise — that also is shooting for a launch in the last three months of the year.

Religious music, which accounted for 50 million units sold in 2003, is often underestimated as a sales force. Religious music made up only 2.9 percent of the music sold in the United States in 1995, but jumped to 6.7 percent in 2001 and 2002, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. That slipped to 5.8 percent last year.

An estimated 1,400 radio stations program gospel music, according to the Gospel Music Association.

An effort to start a gospel channel a decade ago failed, primarily because cable systems had limited space on their systems in the pre-digital era, said media analyst Larry Gerbrandt.

With more room now, the Gospel Music Channel has a better chance, he said.

"If you have Country Music TV, you can certainly make a case for gospel," Gerbrandt said. "It's a huge category and an underserved market."

Will channel succeed?
John Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association, said there's a hunger for this programming. The success of "The Passion of the Christ" shows the power of an audience interested in spiritual-based entertainment.

"You can get any kind of music on television, pretty much, except for gospel music," Styll said. "It's very hard to find Christian music and programming and clearly people are interested in this."

It remains to be seen whether there's room for two networks.

The MP Network is going after a narrower niche, concentrating on an 18-to-34-year-old audience, which would leave out old-style, soulful gospel, said Larry Moore, its chief executive.

So far, neither network has commitments from cable or satellite providers to carry it. But Humbard said the Gospel Music Channel has reached an agreement with Cox Communications, one of the nation's top cable providers, to negotiate space on its individual systems.

Religious artists now have to search for television time wherever they can find it, on religious channels and the occasional syndicated music show, Humbard said.

While other music channels, like MTV, Fuse or CMT, started by targeting a specific age group or musical style, the Gospel Music Channel will encompass many musical styles that appeal to many age groups. Organizers liken it to ESPN's embrace of various sports.

"We'll be so far in excess of what other music channels have been able to accomplish just with music that a lot of people will be surprised," Siegel said.

The Gospel Music Channel will have its headquarters in Atlanta, with production offices in Nashville, Tenn.

:: Les Coles Thursday, April 22, 2004 [+] ::

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Fat Possum Newsletter—April 22

PLEASE YOURSELF

Thee Sham

Release date: April 25
Click here to pre-order for only $13.00

(Will ship them on or about April 25)






Tracks
1) On My Mind
2) If You Gotta Go
3) Come Down Again - (listen)
4) Love Me All The Time - (listen)
5) Want You So Bad
6) Never Did Nothing
7) In The City
8) Can't Fight It
9) You Want It
10) She's Been Around
11) You're So Cold
12) Please Yourself

Tour Dates
4/29 Athens, OH The Union w/ the Demolition Doll Rods
4/30 Springfield, MO the Outland Ballroom
5/01 St. Louis, MO the Lemmons w/ the Fine Lines & Gentleman Callers
5/15 Cincinnati, OH the Comet Fat Possum Record Release Party
6/04 Hamtramck,MI Smalls
6/05 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom w/ the Sights
6/22 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar w/Spoon
6/23 Madison, WI the Annex w/ Spoon
6/25 Chicago, IL the Metro w/ Spoon
6/26 Louisville, KY Headliners w/ Spoon
6/28 Columbus, OH Little Brothers w/ Spoon
6/30 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone w/ Spoon

OnThe Web
www.TheeShams.com

:: Les Coles Thursday, April 22, 2004 [+] ::

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Porky Cohen dies age 79

Rhode Island trombonist Porky Cohen died April 15 at the age of 79. Best-known for his years as trombonist with Roomful of Blues, Porky Cohen finally had his recording debut as a leader in 1996, a highly enjoyable outing for Bullseye Blues with many of the members of the group.

Cohen played with W.C. Handy and Stevie Ray Vaughn. His work stretches over most of the past century. When he died yesterday at age 79, he took a lot of history with him. But with his huge, classy, round trombone sound, he also put a lot of history out on stages across Rhode Island and around the world for people to take with them.

Most musicians are happy to have one career. Cohen had at least two.

From 1942 to 1950, he hit the road with the big bands of Charlie Barnet, Lucky Millinder, Benny Goodman and more.

Cohen came back to Rhode Island and played with the Dixieland band The Jewels of Dixie, and also worked at Ladd's Music, in Cranston and later in Providence.

"He did the road on his terms," says local jazz writer and photographer Ken Franckling. "He didn't stay out long enough to get jaded on it, and he knew that there was more to music than spending your life on a bus. . . . He came home and got a real job. Some guys never get off the bus."

Hal Crook, 53, an area trombonist who has recorded and toured the world and teaches at the Berklee College of Music, started taking lessons from Cohen at Ladd's at age 13.

"Basically, the guy gave me everything in terms of my musical foundation: How to get a sound, how to play Dixieland -- he's like the godfather of Dixieland, rhythm-and-blues trombone playing. . . . I made my bones playing in his band, the Jewels of Dixie."

But Cohen and the road weren't through with each other. In 1979, he got the call to join Rhode Island's rhythm-and-blues stalwarts, Roomful of Blues.

"He joined [Roomful] at 54," said Carl Querfurth, who eventually replaced Cohen in Roomful in 1988. "I'm 48 and I left the band five years ago. I said, 'I'm too old to be doing this.' He joined when he was six years older than I am now!"

Bob Bell first saw Cohen and Roomful in Atlanta in 1980. "When we walked in, they were playing (the Duke Ellington tune) 'Caravan,' and that was Porky's feature number with the band. And that was my very first glimpse of Roomful of Blues and Porky, walking through the door of this club. There were people literally dancing on the tables. Dancing on the tables! And there's this old guy playing trombone, the eyes bulging out of his head, and I thought 'Wow! This is just fantastic!' "

Bell started talking with Cohen during the break, and a few months later he began working with the band. He managed them for 23 years.

"He really had a very down-to-earth, professional attitude toward playing," Bell said. " . . . He knew the value of space; he wouldn't play extra notes. He played what fit the song." John Rossi, the band's longtime drummer, said Cohen was "really the most professional musician he'd ever played with," according to Bell.

According to Querfurth, Cohen appeared on several Roomful records, including Hot Little Mama, Live at Lupo's and Dressed Up to Get Messed Up, as well as those the band did with Big Joe Turner, Earl King and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Cohen also played on a Charlie Barnet 78 from the '40s. And in 1996, he released Rhythm & Bones, his only solo album, which was produced by Querfurth and featured the members of Roomful as his backing band.

"He got a little piece on each of the Roomful records he was on, but I wanted him to have a whole record to lay it out on. So I just said 'If you had a record, what would you do with it?' "

The result is big-band rhythm and blues, with a swinging feel and with Cohen leading the way.

After leaving Roomful, Cohen played around Rhode Island for the rest of his life, on a freelance basis and in the band Swingtime with John Worsley. People best remember him for his work with Roomful of Blues, but swing and big-band music was his first love, Worsley says.

"He was greatly respected throughout the music business, not just in Rhode Island," Worsley says. Cohen was a friend and mentor to a young Doc Severinsen in the Charlie Barnet Band (which also included Clark Terry) in the '40s. Last year, Severinsen, who went on to fame and fortune with the band on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, played in Providence with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Worsley says he tried to get Cohen to come to the show, but Cohen was too ill.

Worsley went to the show, and sent a note backstage to Severinsen. The written reply was swift: "Make sure you get back here."

"We went into his dressing room and he closed the door. . . . He said 'I wanna hear about Porky.' "

Worsley and Cohen were supposed to work together last New Year's Eve, but they were both ill. Worsley believes that Cohen's last gig was with him for Autumnfest in Woonsocket last October. And as Worsley says, that required a little reverse psychology.


L to R: Porky Cohen, Bob Weber, bugs Beddow on trombones with Roomful of Blues


"He said, 'John, I don't think I can do it.' So I said, 'Well, just come and watch, and support me.' So he said he'd do that. And I said, 'Do you want to bring your trombone?' 'Yeah, if I'm gonna go, I might as well take my trombone.' Then, when he was there, I said, 'Now, Porky, you don't have to play anything, but do you want me to take your trombone over to the stage or should I just leave it here in the car?' and he said 'No, if I'm gonna go over there, I might wanna play a few notes.' . . . And the music started and away he went. . . . Well, of course he just blew the walls down. And the other players in that band just sat there in amazement at him."

"He really could blow. Even as frail and sickly as he was, when he took a solo, watch out."

Source: RICK MASSIMO Journal Pop Music Writer

:: Les Coles Wednesday, April 21, 2004 [+] ::

----------------------------- # # # -----------------------------

Mitsu to dish up the blues at Spoonbread, Jiyugaoka, on Friday

Just heard from Blues Brother Mitsu that he will be serving up some Delta blues at the Spoon Bread restaurant in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo, tomorrow (April 23.)

Mitsu is one of the most enthusiastic, true to the spirit of the blues, performers I have ever met, and I can't thing of a better way to celibrate payday than with some soul food, some cold beer and some hot blues.

Who: Mitsu
Where: Spoon Bread
Meguro-ku
Midorigaoka 2-25-7, 2F
Jiyugaoka
2 minutes from
Jiyugaoka Station (Toyoko Line)
Tel: 03-5731-6262
When: Friday (April 23), from 8:30 p.m.
How much: Free

On the Web:
Mitsu / Delta Blues Project
Spoon Bread

:: Les Coles Wednesday, April 21, 2004 [+] ::

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'We Built This City' Tops Magazine's List Of Worst Songs

NEW YORK — They may be catchy, and they may have been big hits — but they're also just plain bad.

Blender's editors came up the top 50 "Worst Songs Of All Time." The magazine ranks supposedly rank cuts by Celine Dion, Meat Loaf, Uncle Kracker, The Beatles, Starship — even Simon and Garfunkel —using criteria like bad melodies, wretched performances, not making sense, and pomposity.

Topping the list —the 1985 hit "We Built This City," by Starship. They call "We Built This City" "the truly horrible sound of a band taking the corporate dollar while sneering at those who take the corporate dollar."

And in second place, Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart" is slammed for representing — quoting the magazine here —"every prejudice non-believers have about country: It was trite, it was inane, it was big in trailer parks and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the obese." That was followed by Wang Chung's "Everybody Have Fun Tonight."

"Rollin"' by Limp Bizkit ranks fourth, followed by "Ice Ice Baby."

Rounding out the top 10 worst songs ever are Huey Lewis and the News with "The Heart of Rock-and-Roll," "Don't Worry, Be Happy," Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time," "American Life" and "Ebony and Ivory."

At 22 is Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (THE ANGRY AMERICAN.)"

Blender calls it "a fight anthem so vengeful, it makes 'The Star-Spangled Banner' sound like 'Give Peace a Chance.'"

The issue is on newstands Tuesday in New York and Los Angeles, and a week from Tuesday everyplace else.

:: Les Coles Wednesday, April 21, 2004 [+] ::

----------------------------- # # # -----------------------------

B.B. King reschedules eye surgery, Inidanola gig back on

INDIANOLA (April 20)—B.B. King has rescheduled cataract surgery and will perform at an annual concert in his hometown of Indianola on June 11.

"Mr. King did not want to disappoint his fans and the people of Indianola," said Tina S. France, vice president of Lieberman Management, New York City. "When he realized the concert was scheduled for the same time as his surgery, he talked with his doctor. His doctor suggested the surgery be rescheduled to follow Mr. King's homecoming concert and a European tour scheduled for the summer."

The annual homecoming concert in Indianola has been described by King, who has performed in more than 95 countries throughout the world, as "the highlight of my year." King performs each year, free of charge, as a way to give back to Indianola and the Mississippi Delta. Proceeds from the concert go to Indianola's Parks and Recreation Department.

Chip Moore, president of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce and the event's organizer, is delighted the concert is back on schedule. "We are most appreciative and humbled that B.B. King has chosen to reschedule surgery in order to be with us in June. Gates will open on June 11 at 5 p.m," he said.

Approaching his 80th birthday in 2005, B.B. King continues to maintain a rigorous performance and travel schedule. The winner of 13 Grammy awards, B.B. King is being honored with a world-class museum, which will be housed in a renovated cotton gin where King worked as a teenager. The museum campus also will contain new buildings for artifacts from King's career, interactive exhibits and arts and music education programs.

Related story: Indianola proposes statue of BB King (Apr 11)

:: Les Coles Tuesday, April 20, 2004 [+] ::

----------------------------- # # # -----------------------------

Jerry Lawson 'Shines' again

Jerry Lawson is best known as providing the buttery lead vocal for the flagship doo-wop-cum-gospel-cum-soul-cum-beep-bop a cappella group the Persuasions. But after forty-one years, twenty-one albums, tours with Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder, and chronic under-appreciation -- so much so that Lawson now supports himself by driving a bus full of elderly folks suffering from Down Syndrome -- the frontman is finally quitting the quintet for a solo career, with a proper band.
"There are so many beautiful songs that I just couldn't do a cappella," Lawson, sixty, says. "I was listening to Little Richard and Curtis Mayfield a few years back, and I turned to my wife, and said, 'You ain't going to believe this honey, but I can do this. I got to get me a band.'"

Lawson can't just talk about music -- he's got to sing. At mere mention of tunes he likes -- Bob Dylan's "The Man in Me" or any Mayfield track -- he starts to croon. And he's now started focusing that energy into two solo big-band albums: a collection of jazz standards backed by the Moscow Philharmonic followed by a set of classic rhythm-and-blues numbers complete with a horn section. Although he's pre-recorded the old Jerry Butler tune "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" -- a version boasting Lawson's trademark sweetness and slippery soul -- he's still waiting for the right label to make the right offer. But that hasn't dampened his enthusiasm or his elation.

"I'm feeling just so good about so many things, man," Lawson says. "And I'm still able to give the world some more, so I'm gonna give it a try. I started singing that stuff, and we started listening to it, and tears started coming to my eyes."

The Persuasions' story is an epic one, a tearjerker even. Back in the early 1960s, lacking a proper band but bursting with song, Lawson moved from Florida to New York City and eventually found a few friends to harmonize with on the streets of Brooklyn. And, man, could they sing, reviving the sound straight out of their respective Southern churches. In a matter of years, the impoverished five went from goofing around after pick-up basketball games to serenading droves of locals in the neighborhood to opening for Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach at Lincoln Center (the band's first gig).

"Man, we left the stage to a standing ovation -- nobody had never heard of five guys singing a cappella," Lawson remembers. "They didn't know what they were in for. And neither did we. They asked for an encore, and I had to ask a guy, 'What is an encore?'"

The band then quickly became regulars at New York's Bitter End, performing, as Lawson tells it, regularly in front of Jefferson Airplane, Peter Paul and Mary, and the Kingston Trio. Before long, everyone from Bette Midler, Ray Charles and the Blind Boys of Alabama not only knew of the Persuasions but brought the band out on the road.

"We got a call to go on tour through the South opening for Liza Minnelli," Lawson says. "She had eighty-seven pieces and dancing girls. And here we are, five little black boys. We got on the plane, and all of us, being from the South, went to the back of the plane. And she was like, 'What are you doing? It ain't like that.'"

Persuasions records play like artifacts, showcasing an overlooked form. The albums dazzle with their barbershop harmonies, warm rhythms and ethereal spirit; and boast their signature slogan: "This recording contains no instruments other than the human voice." Mostly covers, the band turns standards, blues music, pop tunes, and even Frank Zappa and Grateful Dead songs into vocal, rootsy splendor.

Even so, although critics have always praised the band and a niche group of fans still obsess over their music, the Persuasions have never seen proper royalties. Like many young, naive artists from the period, the Persuasions suffered from shoddy management and agents. Still, Lawson bears no grudges.

"I don't have time to be bitter," he says. "I'm just so happy that at my age I still have a good voice. I'm really elated for the life that I had with the Persuasions and the time that God gave me to be with them."

Of course, singing without instruments didn't exactly help much either. To many, a cappella music is spineless fluff to be reserved for college campuses, where it occupies a musical no-man's land alongside campy show tunes -- hardly the glorified gospel of the Persuasions.

"A cappella will never grow past a small market," Lawson says. "It comes back to money. They can't sell instruments. So the kids are being brought up to play guitars and trumpets. The industry won't promote a cappella if they can't sell instruments."

But, again, Lawson revels when he can. And recently the Colorado branch of the A Cappella Society of America named their top award for best soloist, "The Jerry Lawson Award." And the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens just added the Persuasions to their Celebrity Path, alongside Neil Diamond, Woodie Guthrie, Barbara Streisand and other immortals.

"I gave it all I had [with the Persuasions], but there was only so much I could do," Lawson says. "I want to the world to really hear me. My first album is going to be called My Time to Shine."

Source: Rolling Stone

:: Les Coles Tuesday, April 20, 2004 [+] ::

----------------------------- # # # -----------------------------

Blues fest brings in Vaughan, Blind Boys, Winter

Jimmy Vaughan, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Johnny Winter are among the highlights of the 10th anniversary Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Pittsburgh Blues Festival.

The event, which raises money for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, will be held July 16 through 18 at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, 3340 Liberty Ave., Lawrenceville.

"I can't say that I originally envisioned ten years ago that the Blues Festival would become one of our most important fund-raising events, but that's exactly what has happened," said Joyce Rothermel, executive director of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. "The festival has become a critical event for us each year, generating not just revenues but also thousands of new volunteers each year."

Ron "Moondog" Esser, who has booked the talent for every blues festival, said fans can get primed for the festival during a preview concert at Hartwood Acres on July 3. The concert will feature national recording artist Little Malcolm and local several local blues bands.

"There's no better way to kick off our 10th anniversary than by having Pittsburgh's own blues legends," said Esser. "We got our own blues evangelists right here in Pittsburgh, and they're going to help spread the gospel."

Here's a complete schedule of performances:

Saturday, July 3
Little Malcolm and several local Pittsburgh blues acts. (Hartwood Acres)

Friday, July 16
Johnny Winter and Savoy Brown. Local acts to be announced. (Pittsburgh Brewing)

Saturday, July 17
Jimmie Vaughan, Bernard Allison, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones featuring "Fingers" Taylor. Local acts to be announced. (Pittsburgh Brewing)

Sunday, July 18
Blind Boys of Alabama, Jill West and the Blues Attack. Local acts to be announced. (Pittsburgh Brewing)

:: Les Coles Tuesday, April 20, 2004 [+] ::

----------------------------- # # # -----------------------------

No Cover Productions — April Newsletter

No Cover Productions is an independent record label from the Metro Detroit Area specializing in all styles of Blues, ranging from the more traditional Delta & Chicago Styles to the current Rocking Blues Sound. Our goal is to bring Detroit Blues to the world!

No Cover Productions is a label dedicated to preserving and presenting the sounds of Detroit Blues. Featuring all styles of blues it offers a diverse cross-section of Detroits rich blues history. Detroit's largest blues label with 21 CDs out now and eight more planned over the next six months (including four releases from Motor City Josh who now lives in Atlanta. No Cover also offer the capability of tracking down ANY Detroit blue artist's CD for you --just e-mail No Cover with the request and they will find it.

Here's the latest No Cover Productions's news from Blues Brother Mike Boulan:

Just released: Jeff Maylin has a new cd available on No Cover Titled Satori In Blue with 12 songs 11 of which are originals....look for a release party in May.

Just Signed: After a 3 year search we have located one of the Detroit Bluesmen that we wanted to capture on tape (Living 3 miles from No Cover's Straight Ahead Studios)....Billy Davis has agreed to start a new recording project for the No Cover Label we are honored to work with Billy who played and recorded with the great Hank Ballard & The Midnighters for 25 years and also gave guitar lessons to the greatest guitarist of all time...none other than Jimi Hendrix!

March's release: new CD from the Heatstock Festival titled Best of Heatstock Vol. #2

A Good Party!....Friday April 9th at the Attic Bar No Cover recorded Chris Canas for a possible No Cover Release. Chris is a new player on the scene, Young and Talented, He is Ready to make his voice heard. We here at No Cover think you should listen to it!

Another loss for the Detroit blues people: Friday April 9th we lost Curtis Butler. Twin brother Clarence was lost during the holiday season, making for a sad Double blow to us all. There will be a memorial concert Saturday the 17th at The Attic, please be there ....Starts at 2 p.m.

It's Scarab Club time!....Saturday April 17th it's Detroit Saxaphones Featuring: George Benson, Dezie McCullers, & Joe Piccolo With R.J.'s Rhythm Rockers! The show Starts at 2 P.M. and runs till 4:30 or 5 This is a Free event! for more info call 313-831-1250

A New Festival: Bonzai Bob's Blues Bash Saturday April 24th (6 P.M. to 2 A.M.) and Sunday April 25th (4 P.M. To Midnight)in Lake Orion. Tickets are $15.00 in advance (for a two-day pass) and $10.00 per day at the door For ticket info call 248-814-1004 This show will be recorded for a possible No Cover Release! To get to Bonzai Bob's: take I-75 to exit 81(Lapeer rd.) go north about 6 miles. Turn right on Broadway, turn right again on Front St. Bob's is on the left. See you there! Two Day Tickets $15.00

The Bands: Motor City Josh, "Monster Chuck's BBQ'D Blues Band, The Detroit Blues Conspiracy, Paul Miles, Chris Cannas, Buck'N'The System, Cathy Davis & the Soul Searchers, The Groove Kings, Little Leon & The Detroit Gang, The Whoodoo Band, Wall Of Denial, and the Triple X Blues Band

The Coldstock Festival which was March 6th was a success. Now it's Time to start thinking about "Heatstock" which will be July 30th & 31st.

Other recent releases now available from No Cover: The Whoodoo Band has released Bringin' Home The Blues A 12 song project that features all original songs penned by 3 different band members. The first CD in the series Blues All Over Michigan" — "The East" is here! We have also reissued the live CD from Wailin' Inc. (which has been out of print for 4 or 5 years). And we have issued the No Cover Samplers (a 2-CD set) The First 14 — 14 songs from the first 14 cds and The Next 14 — 14 songs from the next 14 cds ( which means we now have 30 cds to choose from!). Other upcoming projects include, The Best of the Flatrock Riverfest Jeff Grand cd titled Therapy a new release from Bobby Murray, and Mystery Train with Motor City Josh. But thats not all...

Upcoming Shows:
Mondays: — Stormy Monday Blues Jam hosted by Miss Cathy Davis & the Soul Searchers at Billy's Comet Bar (9pm), 128 Henry at Park, one block north of Chrysler Freeway (I-75) and one block west of Woodward, Detroit, MI 313-964-1508. — The Alley Katz host jam session at Tenny Street Roadhouse (7:30pm), 22361 West Village Drive, one block east of Military and one block south of Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI (313) 278-3677

Tuesdays: The Reefermen @ Fifth Ave. Royal Oak, Also on Tuesdays: BLUEStage Club open jam session includes backline available at club (7-11pm), 398 W Brooklyn Rd, Napoleon, MI 517-536-8635 www.bluestageclub.com

Wednesdays: Cathy Davis & The Soul Searchers @ the New Way in Ferndale (Jam Session)

Thursdays: Open microphone night with Cee Cee, Milton Heavy Foot Austin and the All Stars at Nancy Whiskeys 2644 Harrison at Spruce, Detroit, MI 313-962-4247Â also on Thursdays:Wailin' Dale is hosting a jam session at JD' s Eatery and Tavern (8pm), 16644 East 14 Mile Road, Fraser, MI 586-293-2650.

4-25-04 at Vivio's in the Eastern Market....the Detroit Blues Society monthly meeting and Jam session featuring R.J.'s Rhythm Rockers 313-393-1711.

Check the Detroit Blues Society Web site for more shows: http://home.flash.net/~dbsblues/

:: Les Coles Tuesday, April 20, 2004 [+] ::

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Queen Ida to play Portland Friday

The Portland Roots Music Project announces Queen Ida and her Zydeco Band will be playing the Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside, Portland, Oregon. (503) 225-0047 this Friday.

Advance tickets $18.50 from TicketMaster.

Queen Ida was the first female accordion player to lead a zydeco band. Favoring a 31-button accordion, she is noted for her melodic playing, and for focusing on the treble side of her instrument, which makes her style similar to Mexican playing styles. Though like many other zydeco artists of the 80's, her music was well grounded in Creole traditions, she also integrates Caribbean, Cajun (with the addition of a fiddle to her Bon Temps Zydeco Band), blues and other genres. She came to music rather late in life.

Born Ida Guillory to a musically talented family in Lake Charles, LA, she learned to play accordion from her mother after she spent a few years learning the piano. Her family moved to Beaumont, TX, when she was ten and eight years later moved to San Francisco. Her first language is French, and wherever they went, took their Creole culture and music with them. But while music was important to Guillory, during her young adult years while busy raising her family, she only performed for social occasions. She briefly attended nursing school but left during her first pregnancy. When her children were all school-aged, she became a part-time bus driver. As they grew, Guillory's friends began more strongly encouraging her to perform publicly.

In the early 70's, she began performing with Barbary Coast Band and with the Playboys. She was in demand, not only because of her talent, but also because female accordion players were a rarity. She got her stage name in 1975 during a Mardis Gras celebration in the Bay Area. There she was formally crowned "Queen of the Zydeco Accordion and Queen of Zydeco Music." The following year she and her band played at the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festival. She also signed to GNP/Crescendo Records, a Los Angeles-based jazz label.

Despite her popularity, Queen Ida never felt music was stable enough to support her children and so continued bus driving until her youngest daughter went to school. After that Ida began touring more frequently. In 1978, John Ullman became her agent. He helped make her internationally known. In 1979 she was nominated for a Bay Area Music Award. Though Taj Mahal won it, he arranged a two-week European tour for her. She continued recording and touring through the 1980s. Because she feels she and the band sound best live, most of her albums are recorded while she tours.

In 1988, Queen Ida toured Japan, becoming the first zydeco artist to do so. She toured Africa the following year for the State Department and in 1990 went to Australia and New Zealand. Queen Ida has appeared in one feature film, Rumblefish, and a documentary about Louisiana music, J'ai Ete au Bal. She has also performed on television shows ranging from Austin City Limits to Saturday Night Live. For many, Queen Ida is not only an excellent musician, she is also a fine example of how a determined middle-aged woman can still find success in a youth-obsessed culture.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please contact us for more information, To be on our mailing list or mail your check to:
THE PORTLAND ROOTS MUSIC PROJECT
510 SE Nehalem, #10
Portland, Oregon 97202-6458
PHONE: 503-234-8811
EMAIL:rowandesantis@comcast.net

ALL proceeds go to
THE PORTLAND ROOTS MUSIC PROJECT

We ask you to join us in honoring our musical legacy and join us by:
Your financial donation to our 501 (c) (3), volunteering or attending a show taping.

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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Basin Street Records' 3rd Annual 'A Party For Patti'

The 3rd Annual "A Party for Patti" will take place this year in New Orleans as always at the Howlin' Wolf.
Kick off your jazzfest on Thursday, April 22nd, 2004 and have a great time in memory of Basin Street Records' co-founder Patti Samuels.

This year's confirmed artists include:
Theresa Andersson Group w/ special guest Dave Malone (of the Radiators),
Henry Butler and the Game Band w/ special guest Corey Harris, and
Dr. Michael White and the Liberty Jazz Band

Plus a special appearance by actor/comedian/musician Harry Shearer!

Expect to see some very special guests.

Come early and also view the new Los Hombres Calientes Live! DVD.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Young Leadership Council.

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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Piedmont Blues News

This in from Blues Brother John Amberg:

Hey Blues Friends:

Here's an early week update on the new schedule for the next PBPS Blues Mob:

We'll be Mobbing at the Next Door Tavern, 219 S. Elm Street this Friday evening from 6pm-9pm (a bit earlier than we had said). It's all part of the Arts Alive in downtown Greensboro. The EMF Blues All-Stars will perform at the Next Door from 6p-9p. The All-Stars feature Shiela Klinefelter,Chuck Cotton,Tom Philion Matt Hill, and Terry VuuCannon.

We'll have tickets on sale for the 18th Annual Carolina Blues Festival, plus you'll have a chance to win some free CDs of Festival performers like Big Jack Johnson and Ronnie Baker Brooks. (and whatever else I can get my hands on!) Come on out, have a cold one at the Next Door, listen to some great blues and help support the arts with Arts Alive! See
you there!

For more details, e-mail me at jamberg@piedmontblues.org

Peace, love and blues to ya!

John
www.piedmontblues.org

BLUES EVENTS OCCURRING WITHIN THE NEXT 7 DAYS --
April 20: Blues World Order at Fishers Grille Greensboro

April 21: Open Blues Jam at The Club House, Greensboro
Hosted by the Ladies

April 22: Open Blues Jam at Plum Krazy, Greensboro

April 23: BLUES MOB! Next Door Tavern, Downtown Greensboro
6-9 p.m., part of Arts Alive. The next BLUES MOB convenes at the Next Door
Tavern, 219 S. Elm St.

We'll sell Festival tickets, give away some CDs of the Festival
Performers (Big Jack Johnson, Ronnie Baker Brooks), and enjoy the great live blues of the EMF BLUES ALL-STARS. (Shiela Klinefelter, Chuck Cotton, Tom Philion, Matt Hill, Terry Vuucanon and others!). Support the Arts in downtown Greensboro at Arts Alive!

See you there.

April 23: Kingbees at The Blue Bayou, Hillsborough

April 23: Abe Reid & The Spikedrivers at Wild Magnolia,
Greensboro

April 24: Billy Crawford Band at Red Lion, High Point

April 24: The King Bees at Westbend Vineyards, Lewisville
Call 336 945-5032 for more info.

April 25: Open Blues Jam at Roy's Place, Winston-Salem

April 26: Open Blues Jam at Red Lion, High Point
hosted by the Monday Nite Club

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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Virgin Megastore New Orleans--Jazz Fest In-Store Performances

NEW ORLEANS, PRNewswire, (April 19)—/Virgin Megastore, New Orleans, for the sixth consecutive year, will be the official music retail sponsor of this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. To help celebrate the New Orleans tradition Virgin invites music fans to stop by Virgin Megastore, New Orleans, located at 620 Decatur Street, or the Virgin MegaTent located at the festival grounds for live performances by local and international musicians.

The schedule of in-store performances and artist signings are as follows:

     Monday - 4/26
     2pm - Jimmy "Bean" Ballero
     3pm - Have Soul Will Travel
     4pm - Ingrid Lucia
     5pm - Dirty Dozen Brass Band
     6pm - Brian Stoltz

     Tuesday - 4/27
     1pm - Deacon John
     Basin Street Records Presents:
     2pm - Dr. Michael White
     3pm - Henry Butler
     4pm - Theresa Andersson
     5pm - Kermit Ruffins

     Wednesday - 4/28
     1pm - Charlie Miller
     2pm - Pfister Sisters
     3pm - John "Papa" Gros
     4pm - Galactic
     5:30pm - Bust!

     Friday - 4/23
     12:30pm- Lil' Brian
     2:30pm- Theresa Andersson
     3:00pm- Savoy Family Cajun Band
     3:30pm- Galactic
     4:15pm- Jon Cleary/ Henry Butler
     5:00pm- Corey Harris

     Saturday - 4/24
     12:30pm- Henry Bulter
     2:30pm- Ivan Neville
     3:00pm- Doug Wamble
     4:00pm- Irvin Mayfield
     4:30pm- Ingrid Lucia
     5:20pm- Geno Delafose
     5:45pm- Branford Marsalis
     6:15pm- Amanda Shaw
     6:30pm- Rizen

     Sunday - 4/25
     12:30pm- Jason Marsalis
     1:30pm- World Leader Pretend
     3:00pm- Supagroup
     3:30pm- Cowboy Mouth
     4:00pm- Dirty Dozen Brass Band
     4:30pm- Ellis Marsalis
     5:00pm- Hackberry Ramblers
     5:30pm- Kermit Ruffins
     6:00pm- Chubby Carrier

     Thursday - 4/29
     2:30pm- The Subdudes
     3:00pm- Have Soul Will Travel
     3:30pm- Wayne Toups
     4:00pm- Euricka
     6:15pm- The Iguanas

     Friday - 4/30
     12:30pm- Water Seed
     1:45pm- Brian Stoltz
     2:00pm- Owana Salazar
     2:00pm- Kim Carson
     3:30pm- Bryan Lee
     4:00pm- Deacon John
     4:00pm- Luther Kent
     4:30pm- CJ Chenier
     4:50pm- Sean Ardoin
     5:30pm- The Benjy Davis Project
     6:00pm- Ronnie Kole

     Saturday - 5/1
     12:30pm- La Bande "Feufollet"
     1:30pm- Marc Broussard
     1:45pm- Tin Men
     2:00pm- Marcia Ball
     2:30pm- Preservation Hall Jazz Band
     3:00pm- Terence Blanchard
     3:30pm- Owana Salazar
     3:30pm- Sunpie
     4:00pm- Dwayne Dopsie
     4:20pm- Dr. Michael White
     4:20pm- Sonny Landreth
     5:30pm- Pfister Sisters
     6:00pm- David Egan

     Sunday - 5/2
     12:30pm- Johnette Downing
     2:30pm- Papa Grows Funk
              feat. John Gros
     3:00pm- The Radiators
     3:30pm- Chris Smither
     5:15pm- Los Hombres Calientes: feat. Bill Summers & Irvin Mayfield
     5:45pm- Smokey Robinson
     6:15pm- Reckless Kelly

For more information on Virgin's participation in Jazzfest 2004, or to check out the location of the nearest Virgin retail go to http://www.VirginMegaMagazine.com

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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Other Louisiana Festivals

In addition to Jazz Fest, which kicks off Friday (See yesterday's posts for lineup) their are numerous other festivala taking place in Louisiana this month. Below is a roundup:

April 19
17th Annual Big Easy Awards – April 19th – Hilton New Orleans Riverside – 6:00 – 10:00 pm - $125.00 includes buffet dinner, open bar, and gala awards ceremony with nine live acts and after party at the Howlin’ Wolf
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/eaf/be2004/be_index.html

April 21
Wednesday at the Square - April 21th – Beausoleil - Free concert sponsored by the Downtown Development District – 5:00 – 7:30 pm Lafayette Square – New Orleans (504) 561-8927 - http://wats.neworleans.com/

Symphony Swing in the Oaks – April 21st – City Park’s Dreyfous Meadow in New Orleans. 6:30 p.m. Free concert by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. (504) 523-6530.

April 22
Cajun Arts & Crafts Festival – April 22 – 24 – Oak Upper Elementary School, Watson. (225) 667-9330.

Louisiana Music Factory In-Show Free Concerts – April 22 – 24 – 210 Decatur Street - New Orleans (504) 586-1094 http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com

April 23
Atchafalaya Festival – April 23 – 25 – Simmsport (318) 941-2493. Admission is $3.00.

Belle Rose Crawfish Festival – April 23 – 25 – Belle Rose (985) 369-3692

Etouffee Festival – April 23-24 – St. Francis Regis Church, LA 347 - Arnaudville (337) 754-5912 or (337) 754-8043

Family Fun and Food Festival – April 23 – 25 – St. John Bosco Catholic Church - Westlake (337) 439-6585 http://www.visitlakecharles.org/festival.asp#

Family Fun Festival – April 23 – 25 – Larose Regional Parks Grounds, Larose (985) 693-7355. Admission is Free. www.MobileTel.com/BayouCivicClub.com

Festival de la Prairie – April 23 – 25 – St. John the Evangelist Church - Prairieville (225) 673-8307

Festival Internationale de Louisiane – April 23 – 25 – Lafayette (337) 232-8086 www.festivalinternational.com

Grand Bois Cajun/Swamp Pop Music Festival – April 23 – 25 – Grand Bois Park, 470 Borg-Larose Highway. Cajun Music, food, and drink. (985) 594-7410

Italian Festival – April 23 – 25 – Independence (800) 542-7520 or (985) 878-1902

Labadieville Community Fair – April 23 – 25 – Labadieville (985) 369-2816

LA Forest Festival – April 23 – 24 – Winnfield (318) 628-5928

Larose Family Fun Festival – April 23- 25. Larose Regional Park and Civic Center, Larose. (985) 693-7355.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – April 23 – May 1 – New Orleans (504) 522-4786 http://www.nojazzfest.com – continuous music, food, and fun.

Rebel Spring Fest – April 23 – 24 – Rebel State Historic Site, Marthaville (888) 677-3600. Admission is free.

St. Joan of Arc Black Arts Festival – April 23 – 25, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church – 8321 Burthe Street – New Orleans. Live music, food, games. (504) 866-7330.

Visitation of our Lady Cajun Festival – April 23 – 25. 3520 Ames Boulevard, Marrero. (985) 785-3510.

April 24
Art in April Festival – April 24 – Sidney Torres Park, Chalmette. (504) 278- 4242.

Blessing of the Fleet – April 24 – Golden Meadow (985) 475-5428

Blessing on the Bayou – April 24 – Westwego (504) 340-0718

Celebration of Spring Bloom – April 24 – Shreveport (318) 938-5402

Denham Springs Spring Fest – April 24 – Downtown Denham Springs (225) 664-3643 or (225) 667-8355. Admission is Free.

Eunice Festival of Arts and LSU-E Community Days – LSU-E grounds, Eunice. Hours 10 – 4 pm. Admission is free.

Wild Beast Fest – Apirl 24th – Sponsored by Lake Charles Symphony – Lake Charles (337) 433-1611 http://www.visitlakecharles.org/festival.asp#

April 25
Laurel Valley Spring Festival – April 25 – Laurel Valley Village Store, Louisiana 308, Thibodaux (985) 447-9351

Baton Rouge Blues Week Kick-off Concert at Lyceum Dean 124 Third St. Downtown, Baton Rouge 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
http://www.louisianasmusic.com/bluesweek2004.htm

Family Festival – April 25th – Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Maringouin (225) 625-2438

Rue de La Roux – April 25th 8 am to 6 pm – Lemann Center, Donaldsonville (225) 473-9227. Admission is free.

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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B.B. King cancels Indianola June concert

INDIANOLA (April 19)— B.B. King will not be able to travel to Indianola and perform at his annual Homecoming June 11 due to medical reasons.

King, 78, has just learned that he must undergo acute cataract surgery June 3, and faces three weeks' recuperation.

Through his manager Floyd Lieberman's office Wednesday, King sent the following message, "I'm so disappointed that I can't be in Indianola in June. It's a highlight of my year, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone and performing at home again.

"However this is something I could not put off. I regret I must cancel, but promise to be in Indianola again as soon as I can work it into my schedule."

King, who returned to the U.S. March 29 from a two-week concert tour of Brazil, and who had not had an eye checkup in two years, learned from his doctor that he needs the cataract surgery.

As is commonplace, the operations will be on one eye at a time.

King, who is a diabetic, closely watches his health and is feeling fine otherwise.

"This was the only time we could schedule the surgery, and we've had to cancel several major commitments," said Leiberman. "B.B.'s health is so important and we wanted to be cautious. This is his sight."

Indianola Chamber of Commerce president Chip Moore said late Wednesday that he will call an immediate meeting of the Homecoming Committee and decide what steps need to be taken.

The homecoming concert date and events that accompany it already have been promoted in media calendars and more intensive advertising promotions were about to be launched.

Planned for June 11 was the annual concert in Fletcher Park featuring King and his band. Another highlight of the Homecoming each year has been King's late night performance at the Club Ebony.

Prior to his surgery, King and his band will perform the last two weeks of May in Russia and Europe.

Related story: Indianola proposes statue of BB King (Apr 11)

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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(Blue) Storm Advisory

BlueStorm Newsletter: April 2004

As we get ready for the Handy Awards on April 29th, I am reminded of all the Blues and Blues Rock overlooked product that comes out thru the years and the entire great new product on its way. There are plenty of both to talk about.

Two long awaited pieces are by none other than John Lee Hooker the first which will be out by the time you read this—"Jack O'Diamonds-1949 Recordings". These were truly John Lee's first recordings; they are not a repackage of his Modern recordings. They came from a private gathering recorded on a portable machine in 1949 and sat around in Gene Deitch's collection for over 50 years. The quality of the recording is amazing. This is a must for anybody that wants to hear the birth of John Lee Hooker. The next John Lee Hooker project will be out on the 1st of June called "Come And See About Me/The Definitive DVD."

Savoy Brown and Kim Simmonds have two great cds on their way. The first one is a live set from Savoy Brown recorded in Vancouver with the current band called "You Should Have Been There". The second one is a Kim Simmonds cd "Struck By Lightning" which he plays acoustic .Some great playing, highly recommended.

Alvin Lee, another Music Icon hits with his first new Album in over a decade! The new album is called "In Tennessee", and features classic performances by legendry Elvis band members Scotty Moore and D.J Fontana. How the record came about was that Alvin saw Scotty and D.J perform at a Gibson Guitar bash at London's Air Studio in 1999 and it inspired Alvin. Alvin stayed in touch with Scotty and suggested meeting in Nashville. They ended up all getting together in 2003 and made one great album "In Tennessee". For those of you in the UK you can see Alvin Lee along with Edgar Winter and Tony McPhee starting April 17 in Oxford ending in Grand Style at London's Royal Albert Hall May the 27th.

Other things of interest-- a long awaited cd by long time Johnny Winter side man Jon Paris. Jon has been overlooked for many years-- he was a Jam band before they invented the term. His new album is called "Blue Planet". Don't overlook this album. Max Middleton of the Jeff Beck Band goes back to his Jazz roots with "Land of Secrets". A CD that should be revisited is Peter Green's, "Peter Plays The Blues: The Classic Compositions of Robert Johnson". For those of you bought the new Eric Clapton CD, Me and Mr. Johnson will get a good perspective of Robert Johnson by comparing all three masters of the Blues.

On the DVD front, there are some interesting ones upon us. From the Father of British Blues comes Alexis Korner and Friends Featuring Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. From one of the most charismatic performers comes Steve Marriott Live. A band coming off a great new album Procol Harum "The Well's on Fire" has a great Live DVD recorded in Copenhagen in 2001 doing all their hits. Two others not to be overlooked are Jack Bruce and Friends. (Jack has been very sick). And Canned Heat their German Television appearances at their height.

As you can see there is plenty of great new product, check the site every week there is always something new being added, if you have suggestions or wants be free to contact us. Keep supporting Blues and Blues Rock. Yours, Arnie Goodman

Visit Blue Storm on the Net

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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New Pretty Things album streets today

Come See Me - The Best of The Pretty Things, a new comprehensive collection by The Pretty Things features 25 tracks including "Rosalyn," "Big Boss Man" And "Don't Bring Me Down", in stores April 20.

(PRWEB) April 16 — For those who thought the "60s British Invasion started with The Rolling Stones and ended with Led Zeppelin, Come See Me is a startling revelation. With this comprehensive 25-song CD, Shout! Factory reintroduces American audiences to one of the U.K.'s most influential rock "n' roll bands, The Pretty Things. Come See Me is the first "best-of" compilation that spans The Pretty Things' entire career — over a decade of songs reflecting the change in rock music from the mid-60s to the mid-70s.

Led by vocalist Phil May and guitarist Dick Taylor (who was also in an early incarnation of The Rolling Stones), The Pretty Things were revered by acts like the Stooges, The Sex Pistols and David Bowie, but fans never really discovered their punk infused, bluesy rock. Although they were pioneers of the Invasion sound, their music continued to evolve over the years, dabbling in psychedelia, R&B, and later, rock opera. In fact, their S.F. Sorrow has been credited as the inspiration for The Who's Tommy. While the public may have missed out on The Pretty Things, Jimmy Page thought enough of the band to sign them to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label. The press also took notice. In 1970, Rolling Stone magazine named their album Parachute as the year's best, and their songs "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Rosalyn" found worldwide audiences when David Bowie recorded them for his Pin Ups album.

Come See Me is a long-overdue tribute to the vital role The Pretty Things held in shaping the sound of rock "n' roll. The band's most popular songs, "Big Boss Man," "Honey I Need" and "Don't Bring Me Down," appear on the album, as well as "You Don't Believe Me," cowritten by Jimmy Page. A stunning booklet, including extensive liner notes and rare photographs, will complete the thorough collection of songs.

The Pretty Things - Come See Me
Catalog Number: DK 34132
Price: $18.98 SRP
Release Date: April 20, 2004


Track Listing
1. Rosalyn
2. Honey, I Needv
3. Road Runner
4. Don't Bring Me Down
5. Judgement Day
6. Rainin' In My Heart
7. Midnight To Six Man
8. Buzz The Jerk
9. You Don't Believe Me
10. Can't Stand The Pain
11. Come See Me
12. Get The Picture?
13. L.S.D.

About Shout! Factory:

Conceived as a broad-based retro pop culture entertainment label, Shout! Factory video and DVD projects range from live music and music documentary programs to offbeat special interest titles ranging from animation to sports content. Shout! Factory DVDs and CDs are distributed by Sony Music Entertainment.

For more information visit www.shoutfactory.com

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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URBAN BLUE CD Release Party this Friday

Urban Blue are one of the most exciting bands I've had the pleasure of hearing in a long time. They blow through the blues scene like a breath of fresh air that promises to breath life into an oft-times moribund genre that at times seems threatened with extinction. These guys rock, presenting an urban blues that is as uncompromising and street wise as NYC itself, but which at the same time—like the city—has a romanticism and sophistication that will touch your heart. If you live in the Big Apple, do yourself a favor and check them out. But you don't have to take my word for it, point your browser to the bands Web site and check out the track samples from their new release it's different today


New York, NY (PRWEB) —urban blue, releases it's latest CD — it's different today. With 14 new and original compositions, their unique blues/rock style captures urban sophistication in their original lyrics and mixes it with a nostalgic blues style in their music.

The featured group, consisting of Mark Mayo: Guitar-Vocals; Mark Polott: Bass & Vocals; Jim Taormina: Keyboard, Ipos; Senien Hicks: Saxophones; Dave Painchaud: Trumpets; Doug Sako:Drums, has entertained NY audiences for decades.

The CD's 14 tracks — Bag O' Weed, Lila*, Lady in Blue, Girls Gotta Go, Heaven Eyes, Dancing the Night Away*, Crossroads, Hot Summer Rain, Middle of Nowhere, Cecilia, Redheaded Lady, The French Song, Steaks and Chops, and the title track It's Different Today, add up to more than 70 minutes of music.
(*MP3 download available on line at www.urbanblue.com/cd.html)

For a press kit, more information on the CD booking information or a calendar of upcoming live performances or events contact:
Mark Polott 718-729-8500
or
email him at mail@urbanblue.com

:: Les Coles Monday, April 19, 2004 [+] ::

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Boston Blues @ Melrose place Diner

BOSTON (April 18)—Sitting by the window at the Blues Diner in Melrose recently, Boston Blues Festival founder Greg Sarni pointed to a three-story building across Main Street and recounted one of his earliest experiences with live blues music. There, on July 31, 1977, guitarist George Thorogood whipped up an audience with licks borrowed from John Lee Hooker and other blues greats as an opener for the night's main act, Duke and the Drivers.

Listening and dancing to Thorogood's music as a 19-year-old that night, Sarni, who still lives in Melrose, recalled having "no idea he was playing blues." But the feel of the music got to him, and stuck.

These days, that red brick building houses Eastern Bank -- a venue for financing homes and other American dreams in this bedroom community. Boasting a country club, awash in Victorian homes and manicured lawns, and with a population that's more than 95 percent white according to the 2000 census, Melrose hardly looks like the home of the Delta blues. But, Sarni, who has hosted a radio show called "True Blues" on WBRS for 10 years, has plenty of soul mates in the city.

Melrose is home to two other blues disc jockeys: WUML blues music director and "Blues Deluxe" host John Guregian and WBOS "Blues on Sunday" host Holly Harris.

Harris, a cofounder of the Boston Blues Society, won a Keeping the Blues Alive Award from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation in 1995 -- as did the late Mai Cramer, also of Melrose, who hosted "Blues After Hours" on WGBH radio for 22 years. Gary Swain of Marblehead, who produced Salem's Winter Island Blues Festival until it closed in 2000, said Cramer was "the grand dame of the blues" until her death in 2002. Harris, he said, now holds the title.

Cramer's husband, blues guitarist Peter "Hi-Fi" Ward, still lives in Melrose. So does John Cain, product manager for Rounder Records in Cambridge and former label manager for Rounder's Bullseye Blues and Jazz label.

"I think it's a convergence of energy," asserts Harris, who moved to Melrose from Somerville in 2000. "I think there's a wonderful creative energy in Melrose. I came to Melrose through a creative friend and I instantly liked it because of the energy. It has this small-town atmosphere, but it's also sophisticated."

While Harris, a middle school guidance counselor in Salem by day, knew Sarni and Cramer -- her daughter's godmother -- before moving to Melrose, Guregian said the city's gathering of blues enthusiasts took him by surprise when he arrived in 1998.

"It was kind of odd when we all realized we all lived in the same town. Right after Holly moved in, it was like 'wow, this is the blues city,' " Guregian said. "We've got a new blues restaurant in town -- that helps."

A fan of the blues, Jackie Mello of Wakefield said he wasn't aware of the city's bevy of blues aficionados when he decided to open the Blues Diner last year. Mello called it a "coincidence," but also "a good thing."

"It's a bluesy kind of town. I can't wait until May 1," he said.

On that date, the music-themed diner that has live piano music and jazz trios on weekends, will debut a weekly Saturday night gig featuring Jumpin' Juba, a group spotlighted on Harris's show last week. Starting with Jumpin' Juba, Mello said he is "slowly sliding into the blues," offering an entertainment format closer to what he intended when he opened last May.

Two Melrose businesses, the Blues Diner and Dorn Equipment, support the Boston Blues Festival through donations and, in the diner's case, participation in a program that gives discounts to patrons who purchase festival buttons. Sarni added that he would not be able to produce the annual free live music event on the Charles River Esplanade without support from his family and his girlfriend, Sharon Walsh.

But Peter Cahill of Beverly, host of Salem State College's WMWM "The Juke Joint" radio show and Mai Cramer's former intern, gives Sarni most of the credit.

"He puts a lot of sweat and a lot of tears into it. The artists that he brings out here and the time he puts into giving them awards is amazing," Cahill said.

Sarni, who was a DJ at WMVY on Martha's Vineyard and WGIR in Manchester, N.H., before hosting his weekly show on WBRS, said he became frustrated by attending show after show where talented blues artists would play to "12 people."

"I felt real bad for them," Sarni said, and, in 1995, he wrote a letter to Melrose resident and then-MDC commissioner David Balfour contending that "Chicago has a great blues festival, San Francisco has a great blues festival. We need one in Boston."

Sarni said someone from Balfour's office called him soon after with possible dates for a two-day concert at the Hatch Shell. Sarni's Blues Trust Productions was born.

The Boston Blues Festival -- featuring several live local and national acts each day, and a slate of lifetime achievement awards for often underappreciated artists -- has taken place each September since. Sarni, who shares the load with his sister, Blues Trust treasurer Gail Sarni, said he "had no idea what I was getting myself into."

Sarni spends 30 hours a week on festival fund-raising, promotion, and production. This spring, he signed with Festivals.com. The Seattle firm plans to help attract attention and sponsorship for the Boston Blues Festival through its website and by airing part of the 2004 concert on a national TV network affiliate, said Festivals.com president Jim Shanklin.

"It's going to spread the word about it," said Sarni, who, before 1996, hadn't produced any event larger than "the July party" -- a bash at his Melrose home held annually from the mid-1970s until about two years ago. "Our original goal was to get these musicians more publicity. It's not going to hurt to get our event all over the place."

Source: By Lisa Capone, The Boston Globe

BLUES DINER,
454 Main, Melrose, MA 02176
Tel: (781) 662-0038

---

Boston Blues Festival

The Boston Blues Festival is a free showcase of Blues music from legendary performers and those who are carrying the tradition into the 21st century. The event has been presented on the banks of the Charles River the last weekend of September since 1996. Each year Blues Trust Productions honors veteran performers with the Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award.
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2004 - Sunday, September 26, 2004
Web site: www.bluestrust.com/
Address: Charles River Esplanade Hatch Shell, Boston, MA
Phone: 888-733-2678

:: Les Coles Sunday, April 18, 2004 [+] ::

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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Music Lineup For Landmark 35th Jazz Fest

10th Anniversary Of South African Democracy To Be Celebrated

Jazz Fest kicks off Friday, so I've recycled the electrons and dished up the lineup again to serve y'all from searching through the archives

New Orleans (April 18) — The 35th edition of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival begins Friday in the kicked-back Crescent City. We focus here exclusively on artists who will perform - and be interviewed - on/in 14 stages/tents in the infield of the Fair Grounds Race Course. This part of the festival is referred to as the Heritage Fair and clearly draws the largest crowds of any part of this annual event.

Tickets may be purchased in advance of the weekend ($20) or at the gate ($25). Get them in advance at any Ticketmaster outlet, at ticketmaster.com or call 385-2600.

Friday
Sprint Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Josephine Miles; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Los Vecinos; 1:30-2:20 p.m., Bust!; 2:50-3:50 p.m., Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen; 4:15-5:15 p.m., The Trio: Johnny Vidocovich, George Porter Jr. and June Yamagishi; 5:45-7 p.m., Galactic.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Pat "Mother Blues" Cohen; 12:35-1:25 p.m., Jeremy Lyons and the Deltabilly Boys; 1:50-2:50 p.m., Corey Harris; 3:05-3:30 p.m., Crocodile Gumboot Dancers; 4:05-5:20 p.m., Olu Dara; 5:50-6:55 p.m., Henry Butler.

Acura Stage: 11:45 a.m.-12:25 p.m., SUBR Jazz Ensemble; 12:55-1:55 p.m., Theresa Andersson; 2:25-3:25 p.m., Buckwheat Zydeco; 3:55-5:05 p.m., Emmylou Harris featuring Buddy Miller; 5:35-6:55 p.m., Bonnie Raitt.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Louisiana Purchase Bluegrass Band; 12:55-1:15 p.m., Lesa Cormier, August Broussard and the Sundown Playboys; 1:35-2:25 p.m., Savoy Family Cajun Band; 2:50-3:50 p.m., Lil' Brian and the Zydeco Travelers; 4:15-5:15 p.m., Red Stick Ramblers; 5:45-6:55 p.m., Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Quamon Fowler Sextet; 12:25-1:15 p.m., Alvin Batiste and the Jazzstronauts; 1:35-2:25 p.m., The Woodshed: Terrance Higgins vs. Stanton Moore; 2:50-3:40 p.m., Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews; 4:10-5:20 p.m., Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band; 5:50-6:55 p.m., Donald Harrison.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Lady Charlotte Jazz Band; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Kidd Simmons' Local International Allstars; 1:30-2:20 p.m., Doc Paulin Brass Band; 2:45-3:45 p.m., Lionel Ferbos and the Palm Court Jazz Band; 4:10-5:10 p.m., Wendell Brunious; 5:40-6:55 p.m., Banu Gibson and New Orleans Hot Jazz.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Big Chief Peppy and the Golden Arrows Mardi Gras Indians; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Bamboula 2000; 1:30-2:20 p.m., Keith Claiborne; 2:45-3:45 p.m., Furius Stiles and Bionik Brown; 4:15-5:15 p.m., Jean Knight with the Knights of Rhythm; 5:45-7 p.m., Selaelo Selota of South Africa.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., New Orleans Public Schools Modern Jazz Outreach Ensemble; 12:35-1:25 p.m., Hazel and the Delta Ramblers; 1:50-2:40 p.m., John Fohl; 3:05-4 p.m., Jim McCormick and the Full Band; 4:25-5:25 p.m., Julio & Cesar; 5:50-6:55 p.m., Jimmy "Bean" Ballero and the Renegade Band.

Native American Village Stage: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 3-5 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m., Jones-Benally Family.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11-11:35 a.m., Old Zion Baptist Church Choir; 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Craig Adams and Higher Dimensions of Praise; 12:30-1:05 p.m., Crescent City Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines International; 1:15-1:50 p.m., Proclaimers of Christ; 2-2:35 p.m., The Smooth Family; 2:45-3:20 p.m., People of Praise Community Choir; 3:30-4:10 p.m., John Lee and Heralds of Christ; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs; 5:50-6:25 p.m., Rosalie Washington "Lady Tambourine."

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: noon, Elijah Wald: Robert Johnson & the Invention of the Blues/interviewed by Bill Berry; 1 p.m., Josephine Mills/Chuck Siler; 2 p.m., The Imagination Movers/Michael Tisserand; 3 p.m., Red Stick Ramblers/Fred Kasten; 4 p.m., Corey Harris/Tom Morgan; 5 p.m., Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews/Jason Patterson; 6 p.m., Poncho Sanchez/Lorraine Farr.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-noon, St. Mark's Treme Jazz Project and Friends; 12:15-1 p.m., Dianne de las Casas; 1:30-2:15 p.m., Janelle Dupuis; 2:45-3:30 p.m., Imani Gonzalez; 4-4:45 p.m., Imagination Movers; 5:15-6 p.m., Javier Juarez Across the Border; storyteller, Olayeela Daste.

Parades: 2 p.m., Pilot Land Rollers and Old & Nu Style Fellas SAPCs with Olympia Brass Band; 4 p.m., Zulu Walking Warriors and Original CTC SAPCs with Stooges Brass Band; 1:30 p.m. in Economy Hall, Lady Rulers Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

Saturday
Sprint Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Hazard County Girls; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Los Calientes; 1:35-2:30 p.m., Snooks Eaglin; 3-4 p.m., The Topcats; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Rockin' Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters; 5:55-7 p.m., Irma Thomas and the Professionals.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Little Freddie King Blues Band; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Larry Garner; 1:40-2:35 p.m., Alvin Youngblood Hart; 3-3:50 p.m., Raful Neal Jr.; 4:15-5:05 p.m., Clarence "Frogman" Henry; 5:35-6:50 p.m., John Mooney and Bluesiana.

Acura Stage: 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m., SUNO Jazz Ensemble; 12:45-1:45 p.m., Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk; 2:15-3:15 p.m., Leo Nocentelli, guitarist of The Meters; 3:45-4:45 p.m., Rebirth Brass Band; 5:30-7 p.m., Lenny Kravitz.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Young Cheyennes Mardi Gras Indians; 12:45-1:45 p.m., Balfa Toujours; 2:05-2:25 p.m., Crocodile Gumboot Dancers; 2:50-3:35 p.m., Charles Jackson and the Jackson Travelers; 4-5 p.m., Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie; 5:30-6:45 p.m., Rosie Ledet "The Zydeco Sweetheart" and the Zydeco Playboys.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Chris Lacinack "Boom"; 12:15-1:05 p.m., Germaine Bazzle; 1:25-2:15 p.m., Doug Wamble; 2:40-3:40 p.m., Astral Project; 4:05-5:15 p.m., Branford Marsalis; 5:50-7 p.m., Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Mark Braud; 12:25-1:15 p.m., Linnzi Zaorski and Delta Royale; 1:40-2:40 p.m., Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders; 3-3:50 p.m., Connie Jones' Crescent City Jazz; 4:15-5:15 p.m., Young Tuxedo Brass Band; 5:40-6:55 p.m., Bessie Smith Revue featuring Juanita Brooks and Barbara Shorts.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11:35 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Willie Metcalf and the ABA World Peace Movement; 12:50-1:40 p.m., The Batiste Brothers Band; 2:05-2:55 p.m., Friends of Jabu; 3:30-4:45 p.m., Rebecca Malope Gospel Queen of South Africa; 5:25-6:50 p.m., Macy Gray.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Caledonian Society Scottish Dancers, Pipes and Drums of New Orleans; 12:45-1:40 p.m., NOCCA Jazz Ensemble; 2:05-3:05 p.m., Javier & Elegant Gypsy; 3:30-4:15 p.m., Jones-Benally Family; 4:40-5:35 p.m., Derek Miller; 6-7 p.m., Ingrid Lucia.

Native American Village Stage: 11:40 a.m.-1:10 p.m. and 3-5 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 1:20-1:50 p.m., Derek Miller; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m., Jones-Benally Family.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11-11:35 a.m., The Crown Seekers; 11:45 p.m.-12:20 p.m., The Gospel Inspirations of Boutte; 12:30-1:05 p.m., Greater King David Mass Choir; 1:15-1:50 p.m., New Orleans Spiritualettes; 2-2:35 p.m., Shades of Praise; 2:45-3:20 p.m., Rocks of Harmony; 3:30-4:10 p.m., Val & Love Alive Fellowship Choir; 4:30-5:30 p.m., RiZen; 5:45-6:30 p.m., New Home Ministries Mass Choir.

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: noon, Joe Hall/interviewed by Danielle Bias; 1 p.m., Creole Bred: Ann Savoy and Geno Delafose/Ben Sandmel; 2 p.m., Tribute to Tuba Fats with Benny Jones and Philip Frazier/Jerry Brock; 3 p.m., Johnny Clegg/Grant Morris; 4 p.m., Ivan Neville/David Fricke; 5 p.m., Alvin Youngblood Hart/John Sinclair.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-noon, Azikwe Children's Percussion Ensemble; 12:30-1 p.m., Kal Knight's Dance Academy; 1:30-2:15 p.m., Rose Anne St. Romain; 2:45-3:30 p.m., Jazz Peter and the Wolf with The Bear That Wasn't; 4-4:45 p.m., Allah Batu presents Bantaba; 5:15-6 p.m., Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys; storyteller, Claudia Baumgarten.

Parades: noon, Devastation, Valley of Silent Men and Unknown Steppers SAPCs with Paulin Brothers Brass Band; 1 p.m., Geronimo and Yellow Jackets Mardi Gras Indians; 2 p.m., Lady Rollers, Undefeated Divas and Men Rollers SAPCs with Mahogany Brass Band; 3 p.m., Trouble Nation, Red White & Blue and Young Hunters Mardi Gras Indians; 4 p.m., Money Wasters, Big Nine Steppers and Nandi Exclusive SAPCs with Funky 7 Brass Band; 4:15 p.m. in Economy Hall, Jetsetter Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Club.

April 25
Sprint Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Percussion Inc.; 12:20-1:05 p.m., World Leader Pretend; 1:30-2:20 p.m., Supagroup; 2:45-3:40 p.m., Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience; 4:10-5:10 p.m., Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste and the Funk Revue; 5:45-7 p.m., Cowboy Mouth.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Big Al Carson's Rare Connexion Band; 12:25-1:10 p.m., Joe Krown; 1:30-2:30 p.m., Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans; 2:50-3:50 p.m., Eddie Bo; 4:10-5 p.m., Chris Thomas King's 20th Century Blues; 5:40-6:55 p.m., Etta James and the Roots Band.

Acura Stage: 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Hot 8 Brass Band; 12:50-1:40 p.m., Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians; 2:10-3:10 p.m., Dirty Dozen Brass Band; 3:40-4:45 p.m., Dr. John; 5:30-7 p.m., Steve Winwood.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m., A.J. Loria; 12:45-1:45 p.m., Allen Fontenot and the Country Cajuns; 2:10-3 p.m., Hackberry Ramblers; 3:20-3:45 p.m., Crocodile Gumboot Dancers; 4:15-5:20 p.m., Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band; 5:50- 7 p.m., Nathan and the Zydeco ChaChas.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Jason Marsalis; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Larry Sieberth; 1:30-2:20 p.m., Jeremy Davenport; 2:40-3:40 p.m., Ellis Marsalis; 4:05-5:05 p.m., Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers; 5:45-7 p.m., Jonathan Butler.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, The Vintage Jazzmen of Paris featuring Tori Robinson; 12:25-1:15 p.m., James Andrews; 1:35-2:35 p.m., Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band; 3-4 p.m., Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble; 4:25-5:25 p.m., New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra; 5:50-6:55 p.m., Carrie Smith.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11-11:45 a.m., Freestyle Nation; 12:05-12:45 p.m., Cynthia Liggins-Thomas; 1:10-2:10 p.m., Ringo of South Africa; 2:30-3:20 p.m., Vivaz; 3:55-5:05 p.m., The Johnny Clegg Band featuring the music of Juluka and Savuka; 5:45-6:55 p.m., Gap Band.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Heritage School of Music Jazz Ensemble; 12:20-1:05 p.m., After the Fact; 1:25-2:05 p.m. Rudy's Caribbean Funk; 2:30-3:30 p.m., Patrice Fisher and Arpa with guest Carlos Ponce of Bolivia; 3:50- 4:35 p.m., Brasilliance!; 4:55-5:45 p.m., Sharon Martin; 6:10-7 p.m., The Elements.

Native American Village Stage: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 3-5 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m., Jones-Benally Family.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11-11:35 a.m., Antioch Gospel Singers; 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Zulu Gospel Ensemble; 12:30-1:05 p.m., The Bester Singers; 1:15-1:50 p.m., Rejubilation Evangelical Community Choir; 2-2:35 p.m., The Melody Clouds; 2:45-3:20 p.m., Rebecca Malope Gospel Queen of South Africa; 3:30-4:10 p.m., Second Nazarine Church Choir; 4:25-5:10 p.m., Lamont Jackson and A New Beginning; 5:30-6:30 p.m., Donald Lawrence & Tri-City Singers.

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: 12:45 p.m., Celebrating Sherman Washington with Quint Davis and Lois Dejean/interviewed by Pam Morris; 1:45-2:45 p.m., The Evolution of the Jazz Musician; 3 p.m., Henry Butler/Harry Shearer; 4 p.m., Hackberry Ramblers/David Fricke; 5 p.m., Eddie Bo/Nick Spitzer.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-noon, New Orleans Sci-High Steel Band; 12:30-1:15 p.m., Kita Productions; 1:45-2:15 p.m., Omosede by Charter Middle School; 2:45-3:30 p.m., Charlie Williams, The Noise Guy; 4-4:45 p.m., Jonno's School of Cajun; 5:15-6 p.m., Carlos Ponce of Bolivia; storyteller, Karen-Kaia Livers.

Parades: noon, Olympia Aid, Uptowner's Hobo Clowns and Divine Ladies SAPCs with Smitty Dee's Brass Band; 1 p.m., Young Magnolias, White Cloud Hunters and Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians; 2 p.m., Perfect Gentlemen, New Look and Lady Sequence SAPCs with Pin Stripe Brass Band; 3 p.m., Ninth Ward Hunters, Comanche and New Orleans Rhythm Mardi Gras Indians; 4 p.m., Untouchables, Furious Five and Single Ladies SAPCs with NewBirth Brass Band.

April 29
Sprint Stage: 11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Bonerama; 12:30-1:15 p.m., Irie Dawtas; 1:40-2:40 p.m., BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet; 3:05-4:05 p.m., Joss Stone; 4:30-5:30 p.m., The Iguanas; 6-7 p.m., the Subdudes.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Jumpin' Johnny Sansone; 12:35-1:25 p.m., Coco Robicheaux and Spiritland; 1:50-2:40 p.m., Kenny Neal; 3-3:35 p.m., God's Followers of South Africa; 4:05-5:20 p.m., Odetta; 5:45-6:55 p.m., Tab Benoit.

Acura Stage: 11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m., UNO Jazz Ensemble; 12:45-1:35 p.m., Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe; 2-3 p.m., Wayne Toups and the Zydecajuns; 3:35-4:40 p.m., Allen Toussaint; 5:25-6:55 p.m., The Steve Miller Band with John Hardy.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Bingo!; 12:25-1:15 p.m., Waso Belgian Gypsy Jazz; 1:40-2:40 p.m., Marce Lacouture; 3:05-4:05 p.m., Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Vin Bruce; 5:55-6:55 p.m., Dexter Ardoin and the Creole Ramblers.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Tony "Oulaboula" Bazley; 12:25-1:15 p.m., Leroy Jones; 1:35-2:25 p.m., Patrick DeSanto; 2:50-3:45 p.m., Michael Ward; 4:10-5:10 p.m., John Boutté; 5:40-6:55 p.m., Christian McBride Band.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Steamboat Willie; 12:25-1:15 p.m., The Danza Quartet featuring Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott; 1:40-2:40 p.m., Andrew Hall's Society Brass Band; 3:05-4:05 p.m., Walter Payton & Snapbeans; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Tim Laughlin; 5:55-6:55 p.m., Jewel Brown and the Heritage Hall Jazz Band.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11:10-11:30 a.m., Pride of Zulu of South Africa; 1:3-11:45 a.m., Mama Efuru; 11:45 a.m.-noon, African Renaissance Dancers; 12:25-1:15 p.m., Culu Children's African Dance Company; 1:40-2:20 p.m., Pride of Zulu of South Africa; 2:45-3:35 p.m., Euricka; 4:05-5:05 p.m., Charmaine Neville Band with Reggie Houston and Amasa Miller; 5:45-7 p.m., Bongo Maffin of South Africa.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Holy Cross High School Jazz Ensemble; 12:30-1:20 p.m., The Attributes Band; 1:45-2:35 p.m., Have Soul Will Travel; 3:05-4 p.m., Pamyua of Anchorage, Alaska; 4:25-5:30 p.m., Otra; 6-7 p.m., 007.

Native American Village Stage: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 3-5 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m., Black Lodge Singers and Dancers.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11-11:35 a.m., Christian Light Jubilee Choir; 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m., The Gospel Stars; 12:30-1:05 p.m., New Zion Trio Plus One; 1:15-1:50 p.m., Golden Wings; 2-2:35 p.m., Providence Tones of Joy; 2:45-3:20 p.m., Voices of Distinction; 3:30-4:10 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Mass Choir; 4:30-5:30 p.m., The Brown Sisters; 5:45-6:30 p.m. McDonogh No. 35 Gospel Choir.

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: Noon, Odetta/interviewed by Douglas Brinkley; 1 p.m., Christian McBride/Michael Gourrier; 2 p.m. Li'l Buck Sinegal/John Sinclair; 3 p.m. A.J. Loria/Bruce Raeburn; 4 p.m., Bongo Maffin/Gabou Mendy; 5 p.m. Helen Boudreaux and Marce Lacouture Cajun-Creole Ballads.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., The Blues Schoolhouse; 12:45-1:15 p.m., Clearwood Junior High School of Slidell Choir; 1:25-1:40 p.m., African Renaissance Dancers of South Africa; 1:45-2:30 p.m., Caribbean Journey presented by Young Audiences; 3-3:30 p.m., A.P. Tureaud Elementary School Choir; 4-4:45 p.m., The Basin Street Sheiks; 5:15-6 p.m., Panorama Jazz Band presented by Young Audiences; storytellers, Sylvia Yancy Davis and Rosa Metoyer.

Parades: 3 p.m., Calendar Girls and Bon Temp Roulez SAPCs with New Wave Brass Band.

April 30
Sprint Stage: 11:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Water Seed; 12:25-1:15 p.m., Brian Stoltz and Greazzy Azz Chicken; 1:35-2:25 p.m., Pamyua of Anchorage, Alaska; 2:45-3:35 p.m., Johnny sketch and the Dirty Notes; 4:05-5:05 p.m., The Benjy Davis Project; 5:45-7 p.m., Karl Denson's Tiny Universe.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Rockin' Jake Blues Band; 12:35-1:30 p.m., Owana Salazar and Hula Jazz of Maui Hawaii; 1:55-2:45 p.m., Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band; 3:05-3:40 p.m., God's Followers of South Africa; 4:20-5:30 p.m., Susan Tedeschi; 5-7 p.m., Deacon John.

Acura Stage: 11:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Los Sagitarios; 12:55-1:55 p.m., Sista Teedy and Umami; 2:25-3:25 p.m., Luther Kent and Trickbag; 3:55-4:45 p.m., Frankie Ford; 5:30-7 p.m., Harry Connick Jr.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Belton Richard and the Musical Aces; 12:30-1:25 p.m., Kim Carson and the Casualties; 1:50-2:50 p.m., Jambalaya Cajun Band; 3:15-4:15 p.m., Sean Ardoin 'n' Zydekool; 4:40-5:30 p.m., The New Orleans Klezmer Allstars; 6-7 p.m., C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Rhino acoustic project; 12:20-1:05 p.m., Frederick Sanders and Soul Trinity; 1:25-2:15 p.m., Wilson "Willie Tee" Turbinton; 2:35-3:35 p.m., James Rivers Movement; 4:10-5:20 p.m., The Spirit Music Sextet featuring Me'Shell Ndegeocello; 5:50-7 p.m., Nicholas Payton's New Quintet.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Albert "June" Gardner and the Fellows; 12:25-1:20 p.m., Chris Clifton and His Allstars; 1:45-2:40 p.m., The Original Last Straws; 3-3:55 p.m., The Dukes of Dixieland; 4:20-5:20 p.m., Ronnie Kole; 5:45-6:55 p.m., Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Dillard University Jazz Ensemble; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective; 1:35-2:30 p.m., Zion Trinity; 2:50-3:25 p.m., Pride of Zulu of South Africa; 4-5:10 p.m., Bongo Maffin of South Africa; 5:50-7 p.m., Cyril Neville and the Uptown Allstars 20th Year Anniversary.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Stephen Foster's Mid-City Jazz Studies Ensemble; 12:25-1:25 p.m., Betsy McGovern and the Poor Clares; 1:35- 2:25 p.m., Tondrae; 2:50-3:50 p.m., Tony Green's Gypsy Jazz; 4:20-5:20 p.m. Executive Steel Band; 5:50-7 p.m. Chevere.

Native American Village Stage: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:20-6:20 p.m., Black Lodge Singers and Dancers; 4:40-5:10 p.m., Pamyua of Alaska.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11:15-11:50 a.m., Southern Wonders; noon-12:35 p.m., Tri-Parish Community Singers; 12:45-1:20 p.m. David Rhodes and Assurance; 1:30-2 p.m., God's Followers of South Africa; 2:10-2:45 p.m., Lyle Henderson and Emmanuel; 2:55-3:35 p.m., Wimberly Family; 3:45-4:25 p.m., Coolie Family Gospel Singers; 4:45-5:45 p.m., The Barrett Sisters; 6-6:50 p.m., Xavier University Gospel Choir.

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: 1 p.m. Belton Richard/interviewed by Ben Sandmel; 2 p.m., Albert "June" Gardner/Tad Jones; 3 p.m., Dick Waterman/Tom Piazza; 4 p.m. David Egan (contemporary blues songwriter)/Mike Luster; 5 p.m., Owana Salazar (Hawaiian guitarist)/Peggy Scott LaBorde; 6 p.m., songwriters circle featuring Lynn Drury and Gina Forsyth.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Young Louisiana Voices Collective; 12:30-1 p.m., Village de L'Est Elementary School Choir; 1:30-2:15 p.m., Erik McAllister; 2:45-3:30 p.m., New Orleans Free School Performers; 4-4:45 p.m., Angela Davis; 5:15-6 p.m., Roy Roget and the Sons of the Bayouneers; storytellers, Sylvia Yancy Davis and Rosa Metoyer.

Parades: 2 p.m., Double Nine High Steppers and Single Men's Kids SAPCs with New Orleans NightCrawlers Brass Band; 4 p.m., New Generation and Young Men 2 Old Men Legends SAPCs with Coolbone Brass Band.

May 1
Sprint Stage: 11:10-11:55 a.m., Sonny Bourg and the Bayou Blues Band; 12:15-1:05 p.m., Ritmo Caribeno; 1:25-2:15 p.m., Martha Redbone; 2:40-3:40 p.m., Sonny Landreth; 4:10- 5:20 p.m., Lil' Band o' Gold featuring Warren Storm, Steve Riley, C.C. Adcock and the St. Martin Horns; 5:50-7 p.m., Marcia Ball.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:35 a.m.-12:10 p.m., God's Followers of South Africa; 12:35-1:25 p.m., Henry Gray and the Cats; 1:45-2:35 p.m., L'il Buck Sinegal; 3-3:40 p.m., Pride of Zulu of South Africa; 4:15-5:25 p.m., The Blind Boys of Alabama; 5:55-7 p.m., Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Gate's Express.

Acura Stage: 11:10-11:55 a.m., Leviticus Gospel Singers; 12:15-1 p.m., Marc Broussard; 1:25-2:20 p.m., Anders Osborne; 2:55-4:10 p.m., The Funky Meters; 4:55-6:55 p.m., Santana.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Feufollet; 12:30-1:20 p.m., Tin Men; 1:45-2:45 p.m., Owana Salazar and Hula Jazz of Maui Hawaii; 3:10-4:10 p.m., Willis Prudhomme and the Zydeco Express; 4:35-5:25 p.m., D.L. Menard and the Louisiana Aces; 5:50-7 p.m., Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Karin Williams; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Victor Goines; 1:35-2:25 p.m., Kidd Jordan, Al Fielder and IAQ; 2:45-3:35 p.m., Leah Chase; 4:10-5:20 p.m., Dave Brubeck Quartet; 5:50-7 p.m., Terence Blanchard.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Original Dixieland Jazz Band; 12:25-1:20 p.m., Chosen Few Brass Band's tribute to Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen; 1:45-2:35 p.m., Ronnie Magri and His New Orleans Jazz Band; 3-4 p.m. Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band featuring Thias Clark and guest Nicholas Payton; 4:25-5:15 p.m., The Pfister Sisters' 25th Anniversary Celebration; 5:45-6:50 p.m., Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11:05-11:35 a.m., Golden Star Hunters Mardi Gras Indians; 11:55 a.m.-12:40 p.m., Reggie Hall and the Twilights featuring Lady B&CP Love; 1-1:50 p.m., Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots; 2:20-3:30 p.m., Busi Mhlongo and Vusi Mahlasela of South Africa; 4:05-5:15 p.m., Shaggy; 5:50-7 p.m., Lucky Dube.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m., The Strawberry Jammers; 12:35-1:25 p.m., Permagrin; 1:50-3:05 p.m., Flamenco Forum; 3:30-4:20 p.m., Black Lodge Singers and Dancers; 4:45-5:35 p.m., Alessandra Belloni; 6-7 p.m., Fredy Omar con su Banda.

Native American Village Stage: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 3-5 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m., Black Lodge Singers and Dancers.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11-11:35 a.m., Gloria Lewis and the Inspirational Gospel Singers; 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m., The Unstoppable Gospel Creators; 12:30-1:05 p.m., Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Mass Choir; 1:15-1:50 p.m., The Johnson Extension; 1:50-2 p.m., God's Followers; 2:10-2:45 p.m., Mighty Chariots of Fire; 2:55-3:30 p.m., Providence Baptist Church Male Chorus and Choir; 3:40-4:15 p.m., Lockport Chapter Mass Choir; 4:35-5:30 p.m., Dorinda Clark-Cole; 5:45-6:30 p.m., Watson memorial Teaching Ministries.

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: noon, Me'Shell Ndegeocello/interviewed by Karen Celestan; 1 p.m., Willis Prudhomme/Herman Fuselier; 2 p.m., Hugh Masekela/Gabou Mendy; 3 p.m., Lucky Dube/Gene Scaramuzza; 4 p.m., Jay Chevalier, Rockabilly Hall of Famer/Jason Berry.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Mid-City Full Arts Workshop; 12:45-1:30 p.m., Sonny LaRosa and America's Youngest Jazz Band; 2-2:45 p.m., Jonathan Russell with the Todd Duke Trio; 3:15-4 p.m., Lois LaFond and the Rockadiles; 4:30-5:15 p.m., Adella Adella the Storyteller; 5:20-5:35 p.m., African Renaissance Dancers of South Africa; 5:45-6:15 p.m., Curtis Pierre with Samba Kids; storyteller, Dianne de Las Casas.

Parades: noon, Dumaine Street Gang, Dumaine Street Ladies and Original Big Seven SAPCs with Pinette Brass Band; 12:25 p.m. in Economy Hall, Algiers Steppers SAPCs; 1 p.m., Bayou Renegade II, Black Eagles and White Eagles Mardi Gras Indians; 2 p.m., Pigeon Town Steppers, N'Krumah Better Boys, No Limit Steppers SAPCs with Storyville Stompers Brass Band; 3 p.m., Hard Headhunters, Black Feathers and Cherokee Hunters Mardi Gras Indians; 4 p.m., Second Line Jammers, Original Four and Happy House SAPCs with Tornado Brass Band.

May 2
Sprint Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Sweet Pea's Revenge; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Eric Lindell; 1:30-2:20 p.m., The Revelers; 2:45-3:45 p.m., Big Chief Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias; 4:10-5:10 p.m., Papa Grows Funk; 5:40-6:55 p.m., The Radiators.

Popeye's Blues Tent: 11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m., J. Monque'D Blues Band; 12:35-1:25 p.m., Mem Shannon and the Membership; 1:45-2:40 p.m., Chris Smither; 3-3:30 p.m., Pride of Zulu of South Africa; 4-5:05 p.m., Marva Wright and the BMWs; 5:45-7 p.m., Robert Cray.

Acura Stage: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., TBA; 12:55-1:50 p.m., Los Babies; 2:15-3:05 p.m., The Dixie Cups; 3:50-5 p.m., Smokey Robinson; 5:40-7 p.m., The Neville Brothers.

Sheraton N.O. Fais-do-do Stage: 11:10 a.m.-noon, Ray Abshire; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band; 1:35-2:35 p.m., Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble; 3-4 p.m., Kenny Bill Stinton and the ARK-LA-Mystics; 4:25-5:25 p.m., Poncho Chavis and the Magic Sounds; 5:55-7 p.m., Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys.

BellSouth WWOZ Jazz Tent: 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Juilliard Jazz Ensemble; 12:50-1:40 p.m., Harold Batiste presents The Next Generation; 2:10-3:05 p.m., Hugh Masekela of South Africa; 3:40-4:50 p.m., Los Hombres Calientes featuring Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield; 5:30-6:55 p.m., Dianne Reeves.

Economy Hall Tent: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Louis Ford and his New Orleans Dixieland Flairs; 12:20-1:05 p.m., Clive Wilson and the New Orleans Serenaders with guest Butch Thompson; 1:40-2:35 p.m., Treme Brass Band; 3-4 p.m., Lars Edegran and The New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra; 4:25-5:25 p.m., Gregg Stafford and the Jazz Hounds; 5:55-6:55 p.m., Pete Fountain.

South African Freedom @ Congo Square Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Blessed; 12:20-1:05 p.m., Big Sam's Funky Nation; 1:45;-2:55 p.m., El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico; 3:40-4:55 p.m., Wyclef Jean; 5:35-7 p.m., Hugh Masekela Allstar Musical Tribute to South Africa.

Lagniappe Stage: 11:15 a.m.-noon, Clancy "Blues Boy" Lewis and Sheba Kimbrough; 12:20-1:10 p.m., Loyola University Jazz Ensemble; 1:35-2:25 p.m., Jeff and Vida; 2:55-3:55 p.m., Panorama Jazz Band; 4:25-5:25 p.m., Reckless Kelly; 5:55-6:55 p.m., Paky Saavedra's Bandido.

Native American Village Stage: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 3-5 p.m., Native American Village Exhibition Powwow; 2-2:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m., Black Lodge Singers and Dancers.

Rhodes Gospel Tent: 11-11:35 a.m., Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Choir; 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Jo "Cool" Davis; 12:30-1:05 p.m., Val and the Dimensions of Faith; 1:15-1:50 p.m., Paulette Wright and Volume of Praise; 2-2:35 p.m., Tyronne Foster and the Arc Singers; 2:45-3:20 p.m., Aaron Neville; 3:30-4:10 p.m., Sherman Washington and the Zion Harmonizers; 4:30-5:30 p.m., Ricky Dillard; 5:45-6:30 p.m., Nu Vizion.

Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage: 12:45 p.m., Celebrating the New Orleans Photos of Michael P. Smith with Smith, Nick Spitzer and Gregory Davis/interviewed by Steve Armbruster; 1:45-2:45 p.m., Dianne Reeves, Topsy Chapman, Juanita Brooks and Veronica Downs-Dorsey discussing "From the Church House to the House of Blues"/Farah Griffin; 3 p.m., Tribute to Don "Moose" Jamison/Maurice Martinez; 4 p.m., Rafael Ithier of El Gran Combo/Michael Skinikus; 5 p.m., Chris Smither/David Kunian; 6 p.m., Wyclef Jean/Kalamu ya Salaam.

Kids' Tent: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Johnette Downing; 12:45-1:30 p.m., Arts Connection Performers; 1:45-2:30 p.m., Colleen Salley; 2:45-3:30 p.m., Hobgoblin Hill Puppet Theater; 4-4:45 p.m., David & Roselynn & Mo'Lasses; 5:15-6 p.m., N'Kafu African Dance Ensemble; storyteller, John Lehon.

Parades: noon, Scene Boosters, New Orleans Men Buckjumpers and Single men SAPCs with Lil' Rascals Brass Band; 1 p.m., Carrollton Hunters and Wild Apaches Mardi Gras Indians; 1:40 p.m. in Economy Hall, New Orleans East Steppers SAPCs; 2 p.m., Westbank Steppers, Original Prince of Wales and Prince of Wales Ladies SAPCs with Highsteppers Brass Band; 3 p.m., Mohawk Indians and Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians; 4 p.m., Original Lady Buckjumpers, Popular Ladies, Nine Times and Nine Times Ladies SAPCs with Real Untouchables Brass Band.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival's website is www.nojazzfest.com, which presents up-to-the-minute Festival information and much more.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc., a non-profit institution, is the proud presenter of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Foundation uses proceeds from the Festival to develop and support special projects designed to preserve and perpetuate the area's rich music and cultural heritage. For information on the Foundation and its programs, visit www.nojhf.org or call (504) 522-4786.

Visit the Official New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Site

:: Les Coles Sunday, April 18, 2004 [+] ::

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National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Grand Opening Celebration August 23

CINCINNATI, PRNewswire, (April 17)—The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center today announces details for its grand opening celebration on Monday, August 23, including a "Grounds for Freedom" procession of freedom sites, an inter-ethnic Festival of Freedom, lighting the Flame of Freedom, exhibitions, architecture and visitor information.

This date coincides with the United Nations' annual "International Day of Commemoration for the Abolition of Slavery." Festivities will not only recognize the abolition of slavery in the past, but also today's struggle to free over 27 million people currently enslaved around the world. Public previews will begin earlier in the month culminating with the August 23 grand opening celebration.

The August opening will be the culmination of 10 years of planning and collaboration with Underground Railroad communities, universities, and cultural groups from across the United States. With its unique architecture and exhibitions, the Freedom Center will be a one-of-a-kind cultural destination dedicated to inspiring acts of freedom today through stories of courage, cooperation and perseverance, especially from the Underground Railroad.

"Everywhere we travel, we've heard the growing excitement nationwide about our opening," said Freedom Center Executive Director Dr. Spencer Crew. "It is our goal to provide as much information as early as possible to enable all those interested in attending the opening ceremonies to make plans to join the most memorable celebration of freedom of 2004."

Located on the north bank of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati where many fugitives first set foot on free soil in the 1800s, the 158,000-square- foot monument was established by Congress in 2000 as the national interpretative center for Underground Railroad history through the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act. The opening exhibitions will capture the vast complexity and inspiration of 500 years of freedom-seekers and their allies told from their own uniquely personal perspective -- past to present day.

Architecture
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is the result of a collaborative design process led by Alpha and Walter Blackburn of Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, Indiana and BOORA Architects, Portland, Oregon in order to build a national monument that best represents modern-day Freedom rooted in Underground Railroad history.

The Freedom Center's design comes directly from numerous consultations and visits with Underground Railroad sites and communities along the Ohio River and museums of conscience across the nation. Each element of construction was led and executed with the inclusive participation of racially diverse teams in architecture, interior design and construction. The Freedom Center also features the work of craftspeople and artisans subcontracting in specialty materials, including Italian travertine stone exterior and Zimbabwean black granite flooring.

The five-story, three-pavilioned curvilinear building sits on a 4-acre site evoking the undulating flow of the Ohio River valley. The building faces the south, where the flame of freedom is lit to signal the path northward to freedom where over 100,000 fled in the 1800s.

Grounds for Freedom Procession
Underground Railroad communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico are being invited to participate in the Grounds for Freedom procession at Freedom Way prior to the official dedication on August 23. The procession route will start in Kentucky, at the foot of the Suspension Bridge. After crossing the Ohio River, participants will deposit soil from the historic site at the foot of the Freedom Center in its adjacent park. The event will begin promptly at 12 p.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. The procession will be open to all communities involved in freedom movements past and present.

Festival of Freedom
An evening Festival of Freedom will kick off immediately following the Grounds for Freedom procession. The festival, free to the public, will pay tribute to some of the most beloved and prominent human rights performers, highlighting dance, music, storytelling and demonstrations from various ethnic communities from around the world. Additionally, dozens of performers representing communities around the country will perform traditional and contemporary programs of blues, rock, gospel, jazz and other music. A rich variety of food and a marketplace also will be a part of the event as well as activities for children on a family stage.

Public Dedication
Public Dedication will take place immediately following the Freedom Festival and is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The staging area for the ceremonies will be the Ohio River at the intersection of 2nd Street and Walnut Street. Jumbotrons located throughout the riverfront will broadcast the event. The program will include remarks from National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Executive Director & CEO Spencer Crew, and other key officials and celebrity supporters. This will be followed by cultural presentations and slave crossing re-enactment.

Exhibitions
Under the guidance of the leading historians, curators, artists and exhibit designers throughout the United States, five major inaugural exhibitions are being developed that will feature approximately 500 years of freedom stories-from 1500s to the modern-day.

Beginning with an opening film experience, Suite for Freedom, guests will explore three basic themes of unfreedom, slavery, and the Underground Railroad. Next, they will discover the two-story Slave Pen, rescued and preserved as the defining artifact of the center. The exhibits are:

     - ESCAPE! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad -- This is a

       specially designed exhibit for children grades 3 through 8 within the

       context of escape and rescue covering 1830 to1861.



     - Brothers of the Borderland -- An interactive environmental theatre

       experience focused on the Underground Railroad heroes of the local

       region. Ms. Oprah Winfrey narrates this fast-paced and inspiring film

       of 19th century heroism.



     - From Slavery to Freedom -- This exhibit provides historical context to

       understand how slavery could coexist in the land of the Declaration of

       Independence and how this gave rise to the Underground Railroad,

       particularly during the period of 1776 to 1865.



     - The Hall of Everyday Freedom Heroes -- Highly interactive and engaging,

       this exhibit is designed to showcase and "introduce" visitors to key

       individuals who throughout history have helped shape the world's

       landscape of freedom.



     - The Struggle Today -- The legacy of the Underground Railroad is

       examined as influencing later-day freedom movements through

       contemporary society.



     - Reflect, Respond, Resolve -- This will be a safe place to reflect and

       carry on one-to-one or group dialogues about the experiences and issues

       that the visitors have just encountered.

Public Programs
During August, visitors can take part in performing arts programs, workshops, films, hands-on projects and demonstrations, storytelling and author presentations. Another highlight for visitors will be their interaction with Youth Docents stationed throughout the exhibits.

Ticketing
Timed tickets will be available for visiting the Freedom Center by August 1 at www.freedomcenter.org/tickets. Tickets prices are $12 general admission, $10 seniors (60+), and $8 for children 6-12. They are not available by telephone. Same day passes can be obtained at the Freedom Center once the doors open (11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday).

Pre-booked Group rates are also available. This discounted rate is available for groups of 10 persons or more who schedule their visit at least two weeks in advance. Group rates are $9.50 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $6.50 for children. Group tour hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00-3:30 p.m.

Conceived in 1994 by the National Conference for Community and Justice, in 2000 Congress passed the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act establishing the Cincinnati monument as the national interpretative center. The Freedom Center includes the John Parker Library, Teacher Resource Center, Cafe, and public auditorium.

For more information about the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, visit www.freedomcenter.org or call 1-513-412-6900.

Source: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

:: Les Coles Sunday, April 18, 2004 [+] ::

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In and Out with The Indigo Girls

The Indigo Girls—Amy Ray and Emily Saliers—are happy to do their part in the struggle for same-sex marriage rights. But that doesn't include playing those weddings.

"Oh my god, that would be depressing I think," muses Saliers regarding the prospect of a wedding singer career. "We know a few '80s songs I think, but it's not gonna happen. No ‘You Light Up My Life.' No way."

Besides, the Atlanta-based girls are busy touring with their own new album, All That We Let In (EPIC). Last we heard from the Indigos was 2002's Become You, whose producer, Peter Collins, and musicians Carol Isaacs, Clare Kenny and Brady Blade, they reunited with at Georgia's Sound Tree Studios. All That ... is a lively, energized album filled with Indigo aural hallmarks like rich dueling guitars, soulful keyboards, and Ray/Saliers' melodious vocal harmonies. It's a bridge between the acoustic/folky Become You and 2000's alt-rock tinged Come On Now Social. "Come On was so layered, has so much stuff on it," Saliers notes. "Such a fun album to me, it might be my favorite. This one's more organic to me across the board, although there's electric guitar on it ... ." And don't worry, Birkenstock set—there are acoustic ballads in the mix, too.

The album's 11 songs were almost evenly split writing-wise: five by Ray, six by Saliers. "A lot of [our songs'] themes crossed over," Saliers shares. "Politics and social causes are going to emerge, so we have some thematic similarities. We also have some straight-up love songs. It's not a concept album."

However, a story does bond the album together: one illustrated by comic book legend Jaime Hernandez (whose "Love & Rockets" comic series features queer characters). Ray, a big comics fan, asked Hernandez to illustrate the album's cover/interior booklet, and he agreed. "It's the best packaging we've ever had and a great storyline," Saliers gushes. "Very proud of it."

Saliers describes the strange Hernandez-drawn story, which involves a woman who plants statues from outer space in the desert, as "a metaphor for the beautiful miracles the universe can provide. If we keep our minds open to it and through hard work, diligence and reflection, it's a profound experience. The cover art is this woman [balancing] on a pipe but to me it is a balance between nature and the destruction of nature. There are a lot of things going on there. Very spiritual."

As for the songs, Ray's love for reggae, ska and The Clash inspired the bouncy, reggae-spiced "Heartache For Everyone." Does Ray also appreciate the reggae/ska staple of "da herb?" (As in marijuana herb, of course.) "The herb? I don't know actually," Saliers laughs. "I don't know if she loves the herb. ‘Amy, do you love the herb?' I've never asked her."

Of the story and meaning behind the album's gentle title song, Saliers proffers "it's very personal but also universal. It talks about the details of life meeting, about planets falling and exploding. It's an anti-war song. And it talks about things that have actually happened in my life with friends. In the end there's the beauty and terror of life, they work hand in hand—it can be painful."

More pain can be found in the catchy first track, "Fill It Up Again," a failed relationship story "in the disguise of an upbeat pop ditty." Interestingly, Saliers has enjoyed a very healthy relationship with a girlfriend for 10 years now, so how does she keep coming up with yarns of unhappy, dysfunctional ones? "As a writer your eyes and ears are open all the time, you observe people and other relationships," she explains. "You have empathy and I think a lot about what it would be like to be in certain situations. I watch a lot of films and read a lot of literature, so I pick up a LOT of dysfunction. The movie Monster—that's such a painful story. I've seen it a couple of times ... it blew me away. Talk about dysfunctional and the worst painful relationship situation you can imagine—that's the film to see. But bad relationships are all around us."

Conversely, "Free In You" expresses the delectation of her own love life. Its lyrics include: "Love is like breathing when it's true/ And I'm free in you." "The Hallmark sentiment," Saliers admits with amusement. "I'm just loving and romantic. Always. She's a really wonderful person, I like her personality; she's always interesting to me. We have a lot of respect for each other. And we learn how to deal with being apart a lot because I travel all the time and we have enough independence to bring to the table to keep our relationship interesting. I found the right person and I'm very fortunate. But we work at it. You have to work at any relationship."

Like her longtime friendship and professional collaboration with Ray. The Indigo Girls' seeds were first sowed in a Decatur, Ga., elementary school. By 1981, the childhood friends laid down their first tracks and experimentally dubbed themselves "The B-Band" and, more austerely, "Saliers and Ray." The Indigo Girls officially came to be in 1985. Their eponymous major label debut hit the racks in 1989, and over the course of nine albums they won a Grammy, multiple GLAMAs, and earned double platinum status.

The lesbians with acoustic guitars shifted gears and went electric—with a bunch of talented friends—on 2000's Come On Now Social, which they recorded in London with producer John Reynolds, Sinead O'Connor's backing band Ghostland, and guests like Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, and Kate Schellenbach of Luscious Jackson. Asked who she'd like to have guest star at some point in the future, Saliers says Stevie Wonder ranks high. Madonna is also welcome and "I wouldn't mind singing with Mary J. Blige. She can sing the whole track, actually —I'll sing backup."

Ray also runs a record label, Daemon Records, and released a 2001 solo album, Stag. A second solo album may follow, while Saliers is considering a debut solo effort as well before the next recorded Indigo effort commences. But first, an album of rarities (largely suggested by fans) will be released.

While their sound has evolved over the years, one thing that remains 100% consistent is the Indigo Girls' commitment to political activism in music and life (voter registration booths may be present at their tour venues). Lately, that has entailed fighting amendments to both state and the country's constitutions that would disallow same-sex marriage or partnership benefits.

"Bush would be the first President of the U.S. to amend the constitution in a way that is exclusive rather than inclusive," Saliers reflects. "He needs to stop. What a legacy he's dug already. The religious right does not control this country; it does not reflect the way most people feel spiritually. In Georgia a bill was introduced to ban gay marriage. The House just voted against it and they asked for a revote. So there was a rally [in Atlanta] I went to last week and there were all sorts of clergy [protesting] against the amendment, in support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community. It's very uplifting to see that there are other sides and that the Christian Right doesn't speak for all people of faith. That was encouraging."

Saliers encourages "every known gay person in the public eye to take a stand" and fight for marriage rights. "I'd like all fellow gay and gay-supportive public figures and celebrities to speak up against the antigay amendments ... . They have to. Kudos to Rosie! I wish Amy and I had a more powerful voice in pop culture consciousness because it's just so important that people realize we need to have our civil rights."

As for whether Saliers herself plans to get hitched is a more personal, private issue, she insists. "If my partner and I want to we will and if not we won't," she shares. "I wouldn't get married just to celebrate having won the right. I'm fighting for a civil right for all who want get married, but not everybody does and I respect that as well. I will stay in this fight until the end. If my life depends on it."

Especially if the ‘weapons' are vegetarian-friendly: "I wouldn't take up arms," she insists. "I'm not a violent person. But tofu ham—I might lob a big ol' thing of tofu ham at the White House. I might be willing to be arrested with my block of tofu ham."

Onthe Web:
www.indigogirls.com

Source:
by Lawrence Ferber
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=4721

:: Les Coles Sunday, April 18, 2004 [+] ::

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