Yesterday, we told you about the latest releases from second generation bluesmen Mud Morganfield and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith – in Mud’s case, a tribute to his father McKinley Morganfield, a.k.a. Muddy Waters, on which he paired with esteemed harp player Kim Wilson, and for Beedy Eyes, a collaboration with longtime Chicago blues bassist Bob Stroger called Keepin’ It Together. This weekend, we’ll be attending a program that incorporates a little from both of these projects when Stroger and Beedy Eyes join with former Muddy Waters Band members John Primer and Bob Margolin along with other musicians such as harmonica player Bob Corritore, pianist David Maxwell (who is often compared to Waters pianist Otis Spann), and Chicago guitarist Tom Holland (band leader for the James Cotton Band as well as for his own Tom Holland & the Shuffle Kings) for a first of its kind Muddy Waters Tribute in Columbus, Ohio.
Sponsored by Columbus’ Project Blues, an organization that focuses on raising awareness and funding for people with cancer through the blues, the program will also feature performances from Columbus’ own 2007 International Blues Challenge (IBC) winner Sean Carney, Texas guitarist and 2005 IBC winner (both individually as best guitarist of the competition and as a member of Diunna Greenleaf‘s Blue Mercy band) Jonn Del Toro Richardson (who, along with Holland, will serve as co-host for the program), and acclaimed vocalist Karen Lovely before the Muddy Waters Tribute takes the stage at approximately 9 p.m. The doors open at 3 p.m. for a full day of the blues, with Carney opening the show at 4 p.m., followed by fellow local act Deuce and a Quarter.
Whether you live in the Columbus area or are looking for a good excuse for a road trip this weekend, this Project Blues Review is one you’re not going to want to miss! (But if you do, rest assured that we’ll have a full recap of the event for you next week.)
To order tickets or for more information on the event, visit the Project Blues website.