Sep 06 Mumbai meets Muddy Waters in a bluesy tribute to Bollywood By Kelly Whalen San Jose bluesman Aki Kumar has just released an album that combines old songs from Indian blockbuster films of his childhood with Chicago-style blues. Continue reading
May 15 Watch The blues was life for legendary musician B.B. King By PBS News Hour Blues legend B.B. King has died at age 89. The singer continued to perform until last October, averaging more than 300 performances a year for six decades. Jeffrey Brown, who once joined King on his tour bus, and remembers the… Continue watching
May 15 Legendary blues man B.B. King dies at 89 By Sarah McHaney The King of the Blues, B.B. King, died Thursday, May 14, at his home in Las Vegas after suffering from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. He was 89 years old. King was one of the most influential blues… Continue reading
Dec 26 The musicians we listened to in 2014 By Victoria Fleischer Before we ring in 2015, we want to reflect on some of the great Art Beat stories from this past year. So who did we listen to in 2014?… Continue reading
Nov 12 The modern music industry was shaped by a man you’ve never heard of By Ashira Morris Ralph Peer popularized the genres of country, blues, jazz, gospel and Latin. His story begins in the era of the wind-up crank cylinder and ends in the age of color television and is told in the new book, "Ralph Peer… Continue reading
Oct 27 Watch Music Maker eases the blues for down-and-out artists By PBS News Hour For every American musician who makes it big, there are many, many more who eke out a living to be able to afford new guitar strings. The Music Maker Foundation, based in North Carolina, helps struggling blues artists meet their… Continue watching
Oct 27 Blues man ‘Ironing Board Sam’ sings ‘Over the Rainbow’ By Frank Carlson 75-year-old Sammie Moore, aka “Ironing Board Sam,” has been playing and singing the blues for 55 years. Listen to him sing "Over the Rainbow."… Continue reading
Oct 16 Capturing blues in black and white By Frank Carlson Tim Duffy has spent the last 20 years helping struggling blues and roots musicians make ends meet while bringing their music to a wider audience. He’s also a photo hobbyist who has documented his friends and performers -- at home,… Continue reading
Aug 26 Valerie June sings an anthem for the ‘Workin’ Woman’ By Victoria Fleischer Valerie June may be a full-time singer-songwriter now, but, like most musicians, she has worked a series of different jobs to support herself. She cleaned houses, walked dogs, cared for kids, serviced coffee, made soaps and the list continues. Continue reading