April Blues News
April is a busy Blues month!
April 4th @ 8pm Jontavious Willis will be at the Woodlawn Theater. A Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter, Jontavious performs original, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues. Dynamic vocals, technical prowess, and an abundance of Southern charm keep Jontavious sending jolts of vitality through the Blues community. This is a don't miss show! TICKETS
April 6th, 2pm-3pm Chris Simmons will perform for our First Sunday Blues at Elysian Gardens. Chris grew up in Alabama. He picked up the guitar at age 12 and before long, he knew that playing that guitar would always be his life. After joining his first band at age 15, he roamed the southeast playing southern rock and blues in dirty little bars and house parties and such... He made Austin, TX, his next home. He spent 5 years living and learning in the heart of Texas Blues playing legendary venues such as "The Steamboat", "Antone's" and the "Saxon Pub". Today his heart has pointed him back to the blues the likes of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Freddie King...where it all began for him. Chris has been fortunate to play guitar for the legendary Leon Russell. It has been a couple of years since Chris played for us. $10 donation.
Sunday April 13th. Doors 1pm, show 2:30pm the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame will hold its 8th annual induction ceremony. Venue this year is the Cahaba Brewing Co. Tickets $10, VIP $15. Contact Jim Newport (205) 616-1937 or (205) 848-5548
Saturday April 19th, 7pm, we are excited to announce we have organized a tribute to Odetta with the support of the Jazz Hall of Fame and the historic Carver Theatre; to be performed by MCBS favorite Gina Coleman aka Misty Blues and her band. Born in Birmingham, Odetta became a voice of the Civil Rights Movement. Odetta influenced Harry Belafonte, who "cited her as a key influence" on his musical career; Bob Dylan, said, "The first thing that turned me on to folk singing was Odetta. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Odetta at number 171 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Misty Blues is a powerful vocalist. Her voice is perfectly suited to do justice to the songs of Odetta. CBS 42 anchor Kristen McIntosh will MC the show and AL.com's Shauna Stuart will moderate a Q&A session after the performance. The event is being supported by Birmingham City Council District 8 and Birmingham's Civil Rights Institute. This is a DON'T MISS show. Tickets are $20. Odetta TICKETS
Saturday April 26th from 12-6pm is the Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival. Lineup includes Shemekia Copeland, Southern Avenue, Diedra, Ra'Shad the Blues Kid & KidSly featuring Hurricane Elaine Hudson. Tickets are $15, and only $10 in advance, what a bargain. Get your advance tickets at Bob Sykes BBQ or order onlineTICKETS
The Capitol Oyster bar in Montgomery features Blues every Sunday Afternoon. Wonderful music, great food. It is well worth a visit. March 2nd Jontavious Willis one of the nation's best young bluesmen will be there. Music is 4 - 7 p.m. this Sunday afternoon. Cover charge is $15.00. More info at www.capitoloysterbar.com Here is the upcoming schedule:
March 30th- - Lauren Mitchell
April 6th – John Nemeth
April 13th - Tina Cossey
April 27th - Misty Blues
May 4th – Tennessee Bluegrass
May 18th – Johnny Sansone
May 25th – Jimmy Hall
Several people have asked me about Jim's Juke Joint in Irondale. it is open on alternate Wednesdays and for special events. It will be open Wednesday April 2nd. It is open at 5pm - 9pm+. It is BYOB. Food will be available. So, stop by to listen and if you are a musician, plan on sitting. address: 513 LaSalle Ln., Birmingham, 35210
Sunday, March 30th @ 4:30pm the Uptown Jazz Lounge will feature Marlon Spears and friends. Marlon is one of our areas best keyboard players. He will be playing some great Blues & Soul. There will also be an art exhibit by K. Lovell Spencer. $20 door.
Remember our monthly open jams:
3rd Thursday Jam at True Story Brewing April 17th@ 7:30pm
Jam at Ranelli's - Friday April 4th @ 7:30pm
Do visit and support the Southern Music Research Center website. Browse their collections where you will find lots of interesting music history of our area including live recordings from Gip's Place.
www.southernmusicresearch.org