Blues
Week, in
its 26th year at Augusta, is an annual celebration
of a classic form
of traditional
American roots music. The program
this year will
reach back
to the 
music’s
African origins while also showcasing a roster of some of
the finest blues
talent on the contemporary scene.
Blues Week
coordinator Rich DelGrosso
has brought together a stellar
roster of master musicians/teachers this year.
Joining the Augusta Blues Week this summer will be
Michael
(Lightnin') Wells, teaching blues guitar, and Eduardo "Lalo" Garcia, teaching blues bass.
Stan Hirsch,
Eleanor Ellis, Elijah Wald, Steve James,
Jake Heck, Rich DelGrosso, Rick Franklin, and Joan Fenton will
teach a
wide
variety of
guitar
styles and techniques. Gaye Adegbalola
[top left photo] will
teach blues vocals; Andra
Faye
[top right photo]
will teach blues
repertoire for voice, fiddle, and mandolin; and Steve James
will teach mandolin (in addition to guitar).
Ann Rabson,
Daryl Davis [top
left photo],
Erwin
Helfer
[bottom right photo],
and Judy
LaPrade will
teach blues piano.
Blues harp will be taught by
Grant
Dermody,
Joe Filisko [top
left photo], Phil
Wiggins [bottom
left photo] , and Allen
Holmes.
The highly talented
Roddy Barnes
[top left photo],
in addition to supporting the
blues vocal
classes, will be on hand for
piano
accompaniment and assistance.
Richard Smith,
“the Spirit of Blues Week,” returns to assist the vocal classes,
and he will again organize the bands for the daily Band Labs in
the
afternoon.
Maria Woodford gives the Blues
Week teens a
workout as she
organizes and
supports the Teen Bands in their own band lab in the afternoons.
Elijah Wald
will teach
the Music of Blind Lemon
Jefferson
and
will captivate us all as he presents lectures on the rich blues
history in the
afternoons on
a variety of topics.
Blues Week
coordinator Rich DelGrosso will present daily group sessions, and the Ice House campus pub will
host
its legendary jams nightly. Concerts, informal sessions, a
blues dance, and a
Wednesday night “Blues Week Party” will all give students
many opportunities to interact with the
Blues Week staff.
Optional mini-courses
will also be available in the evenings on a variety of instruments
and styles.
It will be
an exciting
week!
To register, specify “Blues Week”
and your main instrument or vocals.
Students will sign up for morning workshops at the orientation
on Sunday evening
and may choose
from a variety of afternoon
offerings each day.
