I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
- Duke Ellington
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IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival Set for July 2-4, 2010
The 26th annual IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is scheduled for Friday through Sunday July 2-4, 2010 in Davenport, Iowa’s LeClaire park right next to the Mississippi River. The entire lineup and ticket prices will be available in early April.
Here are some of the performers scheduled so far: Li’l Ed and the Blues Imperials, Ana Popovic, Zac Harmon, Vasti Jackson, Rosie Ledet, Ruthie Foster, Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues, Shawn Kellerman, Lucky Peterson, The Legendary Blues Cruise Revue featuring Tommy Castro and Debbie Davies, Dave Riley and Bob Corritore, and The Nighthawks with Hubert Sumlin.
The first night, Friday July 2, will be a tribute to descendants of blues legends, featuring Mud Morganfield, Bernard Allison, Little Pink Anderson, Caroline Shines, Lurrie Bell, and Shirley King. There will be 28 acts total on two stages, with free workshops in Penguin’s Comedy Club in the Freight House, and BlueSKool for the kids in LeClaire Park. At this time, we’re still making plans for the free Photo Exhibit.
Rev. Robert Jones Preaches the Blues - MVBS Artist-in-Residence March 15-19
Rev. Robert Jones - Photo by James Fraher
Blues guitarist, violinist, harmonica player, singer, and educator Rev. Robert B. Jones is the third artist selected by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society for the 2009/2010 Blues in the Schools Artists in Residence series. During the week of March 15-19, 2010, Robert will conduct workshops in schools and colleges and free open to the public performances.
The open to the public performances by Robert Jones are:
· Monday, March 15 at 7 p.m.—Borders, Davenport
· Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m.—Mojo’s in the River Music Experience, Davenport
· Friday, March 19 at 3:30 p.m.—Fairmount St. Public Library, Davenport
Robert Jones is recognized by blues artists and critics for his ability to sing like early blues legends. Howlin’ Wolf’s legendary guitarist Hubert Sumlin has said, “Robert Jones is an extraordinary musician. He can play the old stuff!” RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award winner the late Robert Lockwood said about Robert Jones: “He has the music of Son House in his pocket.” Finally, Neal Kobin, columnist for the Detroit Free Press, states: “Wherever he rambles, he’s doing what he loves. Not just singing the blues but teaching and preaching them.”
