SINGIN' THE BLUES ... AT 24TH ANNUAL FEST.Byline: Theo Douglas Staff Writer AS A WAR IN Iraq loomed, uncertainty emanated from the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks and a shaky economy began to right itself, declaring 2003 the Year of the Blues might have seemed a bold move for Congress back in January. But lawmakers were saluting blues music, that uniquely American 12-bar, three-chord art form that predated jazz and then had a baby called rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. . Opinions differ on how healthy the genre is today, both in terms of credibility and record sales. Congress deemed the centennial anniversary of famed American composer W.C. Handy's discovery of the blues an event worth noting, however, and fans of the music have found reason to celebrate all year. This weekend, the party comes to California State University Enrollment  , Long Beach, where the 24th annual Long Beach Blues Festival The Long Beach Blues Festival, in Long Beach, California, is one of the largest and 2nd oldest Blues festivals on the West Coast (1st being the San Francisco Blues Festival). presents a slate of acts representing how diverse blues has become. Performers and insiders agree that the event is among the pre-eminent West Coast blues The West Coast blues is a type of blues music characterized by jazz and jump blues influences, strong piano-dominated sounds and jazzy guitar solos, which originated from Texas blues players relocated to California in the 1940s. festivals, if not the top dog. ``It's known nationwide, but obviously it's more of a West Coast phenomenon,'' says Robert Santelli, executive director of the Year of the Blues project, which aims at publicizing blues not only this year but in the future. ``I would think, off the top of my head from quick recollection, or as an approximation; without research or calculation; - a phrase used when giving quick and approximate answers to questions, to indicate that a response is not necessarily accurate. See also: Head , the two most important blues festivals on the West Coast would be San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden and Long Beach.'' Creating a name for itself has meant adaptation for the Long Beach fest. The days when organizers could still book musicians steeped in either the acoustic, original style forged in the Mississippi Delta This article is about the geographic region of the U.S. state of Mississippi. For other uses, see Mississippi Delta (disambiguation). The Mississippi Delta is the distinct northwest section of the state of Mississippi that lies between the Mississippi and Yazoo or its uptown, electrified Chicago cousin are gone, says Long Beach show organizer Gary Chiachi. Changing faces The trem Changing Faces can refer to:
Older musicians die in increasing numbers each year, and as with other traditional American music styles like jazz, younger musicians have put their own stamp on the music. This year's headliners personify per·son·i·fy tr.v. per·son·i·fied, per·son·i·fy·ing, per·son·i·fies 1. To think of or represent (an inanimate object or abstraction) as having personality or the qualities, thoughts, or movements of a living being: that trend; neither Englishman Joe Cocker nor the Rev. Al Green - tapped late last month to replace Ray Charles For the composer and conductor of the Ray Charles Singers, see . Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his stage name Ray Charles, was a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues. , who canceled a string of dates due to hip troubles - are known as blues musicians Performers in the blues style range from primitive, one-chord Delta players to big bands to country music to rock and roll to classical music. Early country blues
``When I started booking it in 1999, I wanted to stretch it a bit, because straight blues is done,'' Chiachi says, acknowledging the fact that many seminal musicians have died since their music gained worldwide fame a generation ago. ``In a certain way, Joe (Cocker) is the focal point'' of a generational shift from traditional to multicultural. ``Ray was the (festival) capper cap·per n. 1. One that caps or makes caps. 2. Informal Something that surpasses or completes what has gone before; a finishing touch or finale. 3. , but Joe is the focal point focal point n. See focus. ,'' Chiachi noted in an interview shortly after Charles bowed out, pointing out that Cocker - like many U.K. musicians of his generation - embraced blues when he discovered it as an import. By now, blues has traveled the world many times over, a journey that shows in this year's lineup. A legendary talent in his own right, Cocker is someone who, Chiachi notes, began by imitating the vocal stylings of Charles, while Green, who is Sunday's headliner and festival closer, approached the style through gospel and rhythm and blues rhythm and blues (R&B) Any of several closely related musical styles developed by African American artists. The various styles were based on a mingling of European influences with jazz rhythms and tonal inflections, particularly syncopation and the flatted blues chords. . Nevilles' musical mix Saturday's headliners, the Neville Brothers - or the Neville Family as the band might also be titled - approach the style from the syncopated syn·co·pate tr.v. syn·co·pat·ed, syn·co·pat·ing, syn·co·pates 1. Grammar To shorten (a word) by syncope. 2. Music To modify (rhythm) by syncopation. , melting-pot perspective of Louisiana CODE, OF LOUISIANA. In 1822, Peter Derbigny, Edward Livingston, and Moreau Lislet, were selected by the legislature to revise and amend the civil code, and to add to it such laws still in force as were not included therein. , their home state. As such, it blends everything from funk to r&b to zydeco zydeco (zī`dĭkō'), American musical form originating among the African-American Creoles of Louisiana. Drawing on elements of traditional Cajun music as well as jazz, country and western, and blues, it is characterized by French lyrics, . ``There's strong elements of blues in that music, and a lot of that stuff is a good place to start,'' says guitarist Ivan Neville, son of founding Neville Brother Aaron, whose sweet, mellow voice is famous for soaring over the musical stew his offspring and siblings create. The Neville Brothers, Ivan Neville is quick to report, are back in the studio this summer recording a new CD. Taking a break from rehearsal to be interviewed, Neville sounds relaxed as can be. After cutting his own solo discs and touring with the Rolling Stones Rolling Stones, English rock music group that rose to prominence in the mid-1960s and continues to exert great influence. Members have included singer Mick Jagger (Michael Phillip Jagger), 1943–; guitarists Brian Jones on their Voodoo Lounge outing of the '90s, he's grown accustomed to playing a little bit of everything - on demand. ``I've listened to all different types of music; I grew up in New Orleans New Orleans (ôr`lēənz –lənz, ôrlēnz`), city (2006 pop. 187,525), coextensive with Orleans parish, SE La., between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, 107 mi (172 km) by water from the river mouth; founded ,'' Neville says. ``I like to do the more energetic, funky, groove-oriented stuff myself. We incorporate that stuff live. We maybe do a couple Latin-flavored things, Charles (Neville) does things like that. And there's no telling what my dad might do.'' Experiments aside, the Nevilles are as aware as festival organizers that they'll be playing to longtime fans, too. So just as there's a traditional blues jam slated for Saturday afternoon, when the Neville Brothers play, they'll throw in favorites like ``Hey Pocky pock n. 1. A pustule caused by smallpox or a similar eruptive disease. 2. A mark or scar left in the skin by such a pustule; a pockmark. tr.v. Way'' and ``Yellow Moon.'' Legends jam The blues jam will feature such talents as harp player Carey Bell alongside famed Howlin' Wolf guitar slinger Hubert Sumlin, with Muddy Waters' piano pounder Pinetop Perkins - plus appearances by ``Steady Rollin' '' Bob Margolin and Willie ``Big Eyes'' Smith. After the jam session, you'll hear something new from Charlie Musselwhite and his Continental Drifters, who will be backed by Latin jazz and salsa musicians, including Johnny Blas, Tiki Tiki Tick of Dow Jones Industrial Average component issues. Pasillas and Francisco Aguabella. Blending blues with Latin music is something Musselwhite tried several years ago on a record, but the Long Beach Blues Festival is one of the very few times he's done it live. ``Some people think blues has to be 12 bars and three chords, and if it's not, it's not blues,'' says Musselwhite, 59, who points out that he's certainly not the first to blend American and Latin styles into a blues mix. ``I always say blues is a feeling more than anything.'' The fact that blues can be adapted so easily speaks well for its future and for his own, Musselwhite says, adding, ``You can't kill it. It can go anywhere and do anything.'' Scarcely anyone disputes the blues' staying power after a century of good sounds. Folks at the Year of the Blues project claim the publicity surrounding Congress' declaration has generated increased interest in the music and accordingly may have stimulated record sales and concert attendance. ``The Blues,'' a seven-week PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, miniseries produced by Martin Scorsese that premieres Sept. 28, will also surely draw attention to the music. Recognition overdue But some performers, like Compton native Keb' Mo', who was born Kevin Moore, say blues should rate this kind of scrutiny every year. ``I'm proud it's the Year of the Blues and proud of the blues,'' says Moore, who is currently making a record with forward-thinking bluesman Robert Cray and other guests. ``But at the same time it's like Negro History Month; it's significant, but the more significant things are the things that go on every day. Year of the Blues is kind of like an honor, like Ricky Martin Day.'' Others agree. Guitar whiz Joe Louis Walker Joe Louis Walker (born December 25, 1949 in San Francisco, California) is an American blues guitarist, singer and producer. Walker's parents were blues fans, and introduced him to the music when he was young. - who pops in for a set midway through Sunday's bill - worries that record companies are putting sales ahead of artistic substance when it comes to the music. ``Now there's only room for one type of blues artist when it comes to promotion and record sales,'' says Walker, who feels that blues artists - in a genre with perennially low record sales - face uphill battles when it comes to getting signed by major labels. As for himself, Walker has released three discs in the past year - recorded in three different styles for three different, small indie labels. Business is brisk, he says, but on a much smaller scale than Top 40 artists. This may be the Year of the Blues, but in Walker's eyes, the lack of chart-topping blues hits is readily apparent. He blames this in part on a lack of outreach from younger artists. ``I think now, probably blues is the most disconnected it's ever been,'' he said. ``I don't see any younger artists giving back to (the older) people.'' Walker may question the motives of younger artists in claiming a chunk of the blues as their own, but he praises the Long Beach lineup, not just this year when he's part of it, but in general. ``Long Beach always has one of the premier lineups,'' Walker, 53, said. ``(Last time) I played there, I played with Chuck Berry. It's always something. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.'' 24TH ANNUAL LONG BEACH BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Athletic Field, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd. When: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 at the door; $70 for both days. Call (562) 985-1686. The lineup: Saturday: 11 a.m. The King Brothers 12:30 p.m. Bluesmasters Jam featuring Carey Bell, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, others 2 p.m. Charlie Musselwhite and His Continental Drifters, featuring Francisco Aguabella and Tiki Pasillas. 3:30 p.m. Keb' Mo' 5 p.m. Neville Brothers Sunday: 11 a.m. Billy Preston 12:30 p.m. Irma Thomas 2 p.m. Joe Louis Walker 3:30 p.m. Joe Cocker 5:30 p.m. Al Green CAPTION(S): 10 photos Photo: (1 -- cover) Charlie Musselwhite (2 -- cover) Al Green (3 -- cover) Joe Louis Walker (4 -- cover) Bob Margolin (5 -- cover) Joe Cocker (6 -- 7 -- color) Joe Cocker, above, performs at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Long Beach Blues Festival. The Neville Brothers - including guitarist Ivan Neville, below, son of founding brother Aaron - play at 5 p.m. Saturday. Frank Mullen/WireImage.com Soren McCarty/WireImage.com (8 -- 10 -- color) Compton native Keb' Mo', above, performs on Saturday, and Al Green, left, and Billy Preston will bookend Sunday's slate at Cal State Long Beach. James Crump/WireImage.com Paul Warner/WireImage.com |
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