Blues at Centrum

Curley Cooke & Annette Taborn

This year’s Country blues workshop is lucky for a number of reasons to have Curley and Annette as part of the faculty. Firstly, they are both consummate musicians in their own right with a venerable blues steeped heritage. Secondly, they are the core foundation of Pacific Northwest Blues in the Schools that brings blues music to kids & adults in difficult circumstances. Thirdly, they have developed an innovative cross curriculum approach by putting the poetry of Langston Hughes to music.

Oh, and last but not least, they figure among some of the finest instructors you will find just about anywhere :-). 

Their classes will cover a number of styles, but I for one am especially looking forward to their Langston Hughes sessions. They will feature compositions that include the poems “Dream Boogie and Dream Boogie 1am”, “Po' Boy”, “Play the Blues for me”, “Dressed up” and “Life is Fine” to name a few.

Mark your calendars - only 31 days until “blues heaven” begins!

Grant Dermody Added to Harp Staff

Our old friend Grant Dermody will be on hand this summer to teach harmonica at the blues week, bringing his big, warm, wide-open tone, and his subtle, unhurried style. This brings the harp staff total to five, including Artistic Director Phil Wiggins. Find out more here: http://www.grantdermody.com/bio.html

More staff additions coming! Stay tuned.

Staff Changes at the Blues Week

It is with great regret we report that Louisiana Red will not be able to come to Port Townsend this summer. We will surely miss him. 

On the other hand, with tremendous pleasure we announce a new guest - the Reverend John Wilkins, the son of pre-WW2 recording artist Reverend Robert Wilkins. Hear some of his music and some interview segments (from a Scott Baretta radio show) here:

http://www.radiofreeamsterdam.com/highway-61-blues-01/

We have some additional very exciting staff additions, which we'll announce next week.

Port Townsend Country Blues Fundraiser

Barbara Hammerman and Raymond Lavine are inviting the Centrum community to their beautiful home in Gig Harbor, Washington for food, fun and music to support Centrum’s Country Blues scholarship program. At this event the scholarship program will be officially named The Cephas and Wiggins Scholarship Fund in honor of retiring Centrum Blues Artistic Director Phil Wiggins.

The private concert takes place inside the magnificent Mighty Wurlitzer music room in Barbara and Raymond's home, Wurlitzer Manor, and is produced by Amanda Gresham's Delta Music Experience. Tacoma businessperson Ryan Harder will open the event with his award-winning slide guitar stylings, including original songs and stories full of the knowledge of the blues.

Please join us on Saturday, July 26, from 3-7 pm and hear some outstanding performances. Blues musicians Phil Wiggins and John Cephas will perform along with a young, accomplished blues duo from Southern California, Nathan James and Ben Hernandez, who triumphed over dozens of other groups in the 2007 International Blues Challenge.

Barbara, Raymond, and Amanda will underwrite all costs so that every dollar contributed will support the Country Blues Festival scholarships. A $100 donation is requested.

For further information, reservations, address, and directions, please contact Barbara at 253.858.4435 or barbara(at)wurlitzermanor(dot)com.

Checks should be made out to "Centrum" and sent to: Port Townsend Country Blues Festival Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1158, Port Townsend, WA, 98368