Monroe County's 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Series

Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Series
Recipient of The Blues Foundation’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award 2009
The Monroe County Library System’s award-winning celebration of multiculturalism, community
spirit and the blues, “the roots of all American music,” marks its Silver Anniversary in February
with a schedule of free concerts for music fans of all ages.
Tuesday, January 31, Ellis Library & Reference Center - 7:00pm
Detroit multi-instrumentalist, educator and storyteller Rev. Robert B. Jones, Ann
Arbor harmonica legend Peter Madcat Ruth and series creator Tim McGorey reveal
“The True Facts,” as insider stories, rare video clips and plenty of acoustic roots
music spin the unique and unlikely story of 25 years of Black History Month Blues in
Monroe County. 3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe, MI
“Tuesdays are Bluesdays” throughout the series as each Tuesday evening features
a free concert at a Monroe County Library System facility.
Tuesday, February 7, Carleton Branch Library - 7:00pm
Samuel James, one of the roots music world’s hottest young artists, has been called “part
Bill Withers, part Tom Waits, part James Brown, part Leo Kottke, and part P.T. Barnum.”
He refers to himself as a troubadour, mixing impeccable, dynamic musicianship with
compelling storytelling and songwriting. (He’s even been known to show off his dance
moves.) 1444 Kent St., Carleton, MI
Tuesday, February 14, Dorsch Memorial Branch Library - 7:00pm
Mark Valentine’s Day at “LOVEFEST 2012,” starring a pair of Michigan’s most
highly acclaimed musical (and life) partners. Ann Arbor-based blues guitarists/
vocalists Shari Kane & Big Dave Steele and Lansing-area singer/songwriters
Rachael Davis & Dominic John will team up for an evening of songs and
stories of love, heartbreak and all the bittersweet places in between.
18 E. First St., Monroe, MI
Wednesday, February 15, Ellis Library & Ref. Center - 7:00pm
It’s MOOZAPALOOZA! when Nashville-based Farmer Jason makes his
triumphant return to the Ellis Library. “Twin brother” of Americana music
legend Jason Ringenberg, Farmer Jason’s performances are rocket-fueled
tractor rides for “kids of all ages” with plenty of audience participation.
Celebrating the release of his third CD, Nature Jams, Farmer Jason
writes songs inspired by life on his farm (“Doggie Dance,” “Guitar-
Pickin’ Chicken”) and his hikes in the forest (“Punk Rock Skunk,”
“Moose on the Loose”). 3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe, MI
For more information on Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Series,
phone the Library System at (734) 241-5277 or visit us online: mymcls.com/blues.htm
Hey! We’re just getting started! More on the flip side...

The Big Gig!
Thursday, February 16, Navarre Branch Library - 7:00pm
Guitarist Johnnie Bassett and vocalist Alberta Adams, the King and Queen of Detroit Blues,
return to Monroe for a special intimate performance at the MCLS branch library where the
Blues Series began in 1988. Over the course of his 60+ year career, Bassett has performed
with artists from Big Joe Turner and John Lee Hooker to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
and Tina Turner. As a solo artist, he’s recorded several critically acclaimed discs and received
the Detroit Blues Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Alberta Adams, 94 years
young, has been performing since the 1930s, tap-dancing and singing with the likes of Duke
Ellington, Louis Jordan and Lionel Hampton and recording for Chess and Cannonball Records.
Bassett and Adams will be joined by Detroit’s R.J. Spangler & the Rhythm Rockers. This
concert is sponsored by The Jazz Foundation. 1135 E. Second St., Monroe, MI
Tuesday, February 21, Bedford Branch Library - 7:00pm
Blues and boogie-woogie piano with Mark “Mr. B” Braun, a rare living link to the first
generation of blues and boogie pianists, like Little Brother Montgomery and Boogie Woogie
Red, he sought out and received lessons from before their deaths. Collaborations with acts
like John Hammond, Marcus Belgrave and Duke Robillard and appearances on “Mountain
Stage” and NPR’s “All Things Considered” have only expanded the audience for this Michigan
treasure. 8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance, MI
Saturday, Feb. 25, Monroe Co. Community College, Meyer Theater - 7:00pm
“THE BIG GIG!” is Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Concert, a starstudded
evening featuring a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of Blues Series alumni. Rev. Robert B.
Jones will (for the 25th year) host and kick things off, and in 2012 he’ll be joined by the likes
of Peter Madcat Ruth, legendary Muddy Waters Band guitarist Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, the
“Music Makin’ Mama” herself, pianist/guitarist Ann Rabson, mandolin virtuoso Rich DelGrosso,
boogie-woogie piano powerhouse Daryl Davis, Detroit blues diva Thornetta Davis, roots rock
power trio George Bedard & the Kingpins, and drummer Mike Shimmin and bassist Dominic
John. (And, it’s more than likely, a surprise guest or three before the final bows are taken.)
1555 Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI
The Big Gig! is an extremely popular event—no ticket is required, seating is general
admission, first-come, first-served until venue capacity is reached. Doors open at 6:00 pm.
Tuesday, February 28, Ellis Library & Reference Center - 7:00pm
The silver anniversary festivities conclude with a fond remembrance of one of the most
entertaining and intriguing artists in Blues Series history, Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong,
who was the last surviving African American string band musician when he passed away in
2003. Howard’s music, life and legacy will be celebrated by his son, bassist Ralphe Armstrong,
guitarist Ray Kamalay and multi-instrumentalist John Reynolds, with special guest Rich
DelGrosso, all of whom played with Howard and have tons of anecdotes to share.
3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe, MI
Monroe County’s 25th Annual Black History Month Blues Series is presented by the Monroe County Library System
and made possible with the generous support of the 2012 Blues Coalition of community co-sponsors:
Monroe County Community College, DTE Energy Foundation, Friends of Ellis, Friends of Bedford, Friends of Carleton,
Friends of the Dorsch Memorial Branch Library, and the Detroit Blues Society.
Additional funding is provided by Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and Arts Alliance.