Between the dates of April 18th and April 21, 2009, Keb’ and myself, along with members of the Monk Institute of Jazz, traveled into the Mississippi Delta towns of Cleveland and Ruleville. This would be a collaborative effort to reintroduce students of an economicly depressed Mississippi Delta area to the significance and heritage of the music that arose from their home land. Cleveland and Ruleville, Mississippi, and Dockery Farms are considered by many, including B.B. King, to be the birthplace of the blues.
Keb’ and I participated in a public school education tour that would bring Blues and Jazz back to the Mississippi Delta. The public school education tour included a series of assembly programs, jazz band clinics, and recording master classes. Each assembly featured a six-piece blues and jazz combo led by world renowned saxophonist Antonio Hart, an interactive presentation about the blues and jazz with acclaimed vocalist Lisa Henry and blues guitarist Keb’ Mo’, followed by a question-and-answer session with the students. In addition, jazz drummer TS Monk, Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees and son of the legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, spoke about the influence of the blues on jazz and the impact of both musical art forms on the world. The recording master class was taught by myself (Engineer) and Thelonius Monk (Producer). The recording class introduced the recording students of Delta State University to the experience of working with world class producers, engineers and musicians in a studio environment. It was educational for all, and when it was over we tracked a beautiful arrangement of “You Are My Sunshine.”
While in Cleveland, the band members, the board members and myself were hosted to a dinner at Dockery Farms by the descendants of William Dockery, the founder and original owner of the birthplace of the blues. Please check out this link to learn more about Dockery Farms significant role in the development of the blues.
My time spent with Keb’, The Monk Institute, Dockery Farms and the Mississippi Delta has forever changed me. I am so grateful to have been a part of this great cause and look forward to working with The Monk Institute again.
For more info on The Monk Institutes Jazz and Blues program, please follow the link below:
Today the incomparable Melissa Manchester came into Stu Stu Studios to track a duet with Keb’ Mo’.
Yesterday I awoke at 5AM to catch a plane from LAX to San Francisco where Keb’ would be performing at a benefit concert for Bread and Roses at the Teatro Zinzanni, located on the San Fran water front. For those not familiar with Teatro Zinzanni, it is an evening with European Cabaret and Cirque mixed with Divas and Madman set in a night club (tent) with live music and gourmet 5 course meals and high production standards. I highly recommend checking it out the next time you are in San Fran.