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The 13th annual Baton Rouge Blues Week was a great success again this year. Six venues throughout Baton Rouge participated in presenting authentic Louisiana blues artists.
The Roux House, the Pastime, Chelsea’s, Teddy’s Juke Joint, Phil Brady’s and the Manship Theatre presented blues artists such as: Eddie Bo; Henry Gray & The Cats; Smokey Greenwell; Mike Zito; Chicago Al; Chris Thomas King; Kevin Schexnayder; Kenny Acosta; Randy Pavlok;Kipori Woods; Terrance Simien; and Henry Butler. Big Red and The Soul Benders; TJ Black; BB Bruce; Andy Cornett; John Lisi & Delta Funk;
Earth Day, Live After Five, Sunday in the Park and the return of the Baton Rouge Blues Festival put Baton Rouge in the Middle of the Most Musical 125 Miles on Earth. Tabby Thomas Blues Revue, the Iguanas, Marva LeRoux, Lazy Lester, Rudy Richard, James Johnson and Kenny Neal made the Capitol City the Blues Capital as well. Wright, James Cotton, the Baton Rouge Magnet High School Bulldog Blues Band, Phil Guy, Larry Garner, Marcia Ball, Luther Kent & Trick Bag, Tab Benoit with Louisiana’s
The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation kicked off the week with a capacity crowd at the Slim Harpo Awards in the Cypress Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Select, recognizing Marcia Ball & Lil Ray Neal as Blues Pioneers, Silas Hogan as Blues Legend and Nick Spitzer as Blues Ambassador. Mayor Kip Holden presided over the ceremonies with BRBF members Maxine Crump, Malcolm Robinson, Rob Payer and Johnny Palazzotto making the presentations to the artists and their families. One Mo’ Time Band, featuring Floyd Patterson, provided the musical knockout for dancing celebrants.
The BRBF also presented Terrance Simien’s Creole Music in the Schools at Broadmoor Middle School to over 100 very enthusiastic students. The Brunner Gallery exhibited extraordinary photographs taken by blind blues piano player Henry Butler in the Jones Walker Foyer at The Shaw Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation for Historical Louisiana exhibited fantasticSchlenker at The Old Governor’s Mansion. photographs of legendary Louisiana Blues artists taken by David Wood and Matthew
The week would not be complete without the finger-licking, soul-building food of Shirley Neal. Shirley along with daughters and sons offered Shirley Neal’s Blues Buffet at Phil Brady’s, followed up by dessert from Lil Ray Neal’s Blues Band. Another delicacy of the week was the Boudin Pizza at The Pastime.
Baton Rouge Blues Week and The Baton Rouge Blues Festival are scheduled for April 19-25, 2009, so begin making your plans and travel arrangements now for ’s greatest travel destination, LOUISIANA, …and Baton Rouge!
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