Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Taste of the Blue Ridge Blues and Jazz Festival
All you need to know about the fest,
plus interviews with its top artists
Not only does the festival celebrate the music and food of the bayou — still in desperate conditions following Hurricane Katrina — but half of it takes place on Sept. 11, a date we collectively wince at.
Despite the unfortunate coincidence, the organizers promise to serve up an impressive lineup of blues and jazz musicians and delicious food from area restaurants. They’ll also be accepting donations on behalf of the Red Cross.
EventZone, which produces this ninth annual festival, has given it an extreme makeover. The music has been extended over two days and organized by genre. Saturday is themed “Bayou Blues,” featuring the music and food of Louisiana and Mississippi Delta country. “Sax in the City” is the title of Sunday’s events, which include plenty of jazz and specialties by area restaurants. All of it kicks off with a free, Movies in the Park screening of “Ray” on Friday night in Elmwood Park.
We’ve got all the details, plus a preview of some of the performers.
— Stephanie Ogilvie
IN A NUTSHELL
When: Saturday-Sunday
Where: Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke
Cost: $10 at the gate or $15 for both days in advance. $7.50 for students with ID. Advance tickets available at Mill Mountain Theatre box office (342-5740) or EventZone office (342-2640). Friday night screening of “Ray” is free. Saturday night blues jam at Roanoke’s Wyndham Hotel is $10.
Don’t forget: Lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers and beverage containers are strictly prohibited.
Call: 342-2640
Net: tobr.org
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THE MUSIC
by Sarah Vecere
SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
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Eddy "The |
THE BLUES
When: 3-10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke
Cost: $10 at the gate or $15 for both days in advance. $7.50 for students with ID.
WHO’S PLAYING
3 p.m.: Big Rick and the Bombers (winners of the 2005 James River Blues Society contest)
4:15 p.m.: Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater
6 p.m.: John Mooney and the Bluesiana Band (Louisiana guitarist Mooney and his band will bring the Delta funk)
7:45 p.m.: Kenny Neal (The guitar- and harmonica-playing Baton Rouge native combines Louisiana swamp blues and funky rhythms)
SATURDAY NIGHT BLUES JAM
Meet the musicians and hear more music.
When: 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
Where: Charades at the Wyndham Hotel, Hershberger Road, Roanoke
Cost: $10
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Eddy ‘The Chief’ Clearwater
Hometown: Chicago, by way of Macon, Miss.
Clearwater has received numerous awards, including Best Blues Entertainer at the 2003 Chicago Music Awards. More importantly, he may be the happiest man in blues.
Q: What can people expect at one of your live performances?
A: High-energy, good-time blues. Some people call it rock-a-billy or rock-a-blues. I do a lot of the traditional Chicago blues. We’re gonna have a good time. I can assure you that. I hope to bring a bundle of joy with me.
Q: What’s your definition of the blues?
A: The blues is a musical feeling, like a spiritual type of feeling. It can lift you up and make you feel better.
Q: Whose music has most influenced you?
A: Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker.
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THE JAZZ
When: 1-6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke
Cost: $10 at the gate or $15 for both days in advance. $7.50 for students with ID.
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Dr. Lonnie Smith |
WHO’S PLAYING
1 p.m.: John Brown Quintet (traditional jazz with the occasional modern twist by this group, headed by bassist Brown, who’s the director of the jazz program at Duke University)
2:45 p.m.: Luciana Souza
4:30 p.m.: Dr. Lonnie Smith
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Luciana Souza
Hometown: Sao Paolo, Brazil
What’s the most romantic, guaranteed-to-get-you-in-the-mood-for-love music? You said Barry White, didn’t you? Nope — it’s Brazilian jazz. One of the smoothest practitioners of the genre is the sultry-voiced Souza, two-time Grammy nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album (2002, 2003).
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Luciana Souza |
Q: Can you describe your music?
A: Brazilian flavored. My parents were both composers. Even when I’m interpreting American music, I’m influenced by Brazilian music, especially rhythmically.
Q: Why do you think so many people dream of being singers?
A: It’s not just the fame, though it seems that way on TV. It’s being able to express yourself with your whole body and being able to convey a message. Physically, there’s a great buzz that goes on when you sing.
Q: Your music is very romantic. What do you listen to when you want to hear romantic music?
A: I go back to bossa nova music.
Q: What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A: The moment where you feel that things are the way they should be for you. It’s fleeting. Happiness is not a state. It’s a moment.
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Dr. Lonnie Smith
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Smith is one of the pre-eminent jazz keyboarders in the world. He received the Jazz Journalist Association’s Organ Keyboardist of the Year Award in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He spoke to us while taking a break between his Japanese and European tours.
Q: You’ve been performing around the world for many years. Is it still enjoyable?
A: It’s worth it. It’s enjoyable when you see the joy in people’s faces, and they approach you and tell you that you made their day.
Q: Can you describe your musical style?
A: My style is from the heart. It touches people. It’s happy and sad.
Q: How do you define the blues?
A: Playing life.
Q: What prompted you to do a jazz album of Beck Songs (“Boogaloo to Beck”)?
A: It’s a challenge to me. It’s fun. Today, a lot of what the young groups are doing is what we did back when. Everything comes back around.
Q: Who are you listening to these days?
A: I’m still stuck on the old school. But no matter what, I love feeling first and technique second.
Q: What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A: Doing something you love for the rest of your life. Music is even deeper than love. It’s passion.
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THE ‘TASTE’ PART : FOOD
SATURDAY: The “Bayou Blues” theme extends to the food. You can choose from jambalaya, etouffee, barbecue, Bananas Foster and more from places including Jeffrey’s restaurant, the Green Dolphin Grille, the Cajun Connection, Catawba Valley Ice Cream and others.
SUNDAY: This is the more traditional “Taste Of” day, featuring samplings from Swagat Indian Restaurant, El Palenque, Cafe Soleil, Chicken Rules, Firehouse Subs, Java the Hut, Green Dolphin, Another Area Caterer and more.
BEVS
Adult beverages from Anheuser Busch/Budweiser and wine tastings will be available both days. The whole park has been designated as an ABC area for this event, so you can enjoy your drinks without being corralled in a “beer garden.”
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BONUS
What: “Ray,” the Academy Award-winning film starring Jaime Foxx as legendary pianist Ray Charles, will be shown on a giant screen as part of the Movies in the Park series.
When: Movie begins at dark on Friday. Music by Kevin “The Kid” Selfe and the Tornadoes at 7 p.m.
Where: Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke
Cost: Free admission
Call: 342-2028
