R.I.P. Robin Rogers 1957 to 2010

This news comes just 2 days after Robin was nominated for Contemporary Blues Female Artist for the 2011 Blues Music Awards. This week her latest CD reached # 4 on the Blues Roots Music Charts.

From Bob Corritore's newletter:

"Singer / harmonica player Robin Rogers has died today in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. She had been struggling with terminal liver cancer for a month now. Robin was well loved within the blues community and had some highly successful CDs which frequently ended up with nominations, and she was honored with a Blues Blast Music Award in 2009, for "Best Female Artist".

Her humble and sincere personality, coupled with her unmistakable talent, made us all take her in as an adopted little sister. She had lead a very hard life, complete with homelessness, and drug and alcohol abuse, but she had turned her life around, and found a positive outlet in blues music. She had been sober for 21 years and happily wed to her husband, and musical partner Tony Rogers who was by her side until the end.

Many benefits sprouted around the country and her latest record Back In The Fire, on the Blind Pig label, was met with great success, and has recently been nominated for a Blues Music Award. Please spend a few minutes to hear the NPR interview with Robin, from a few weeks ago. . Thank you Robin, for your great music, and your strong heart. To read more about Robin Rogers, please visit www.robinrogers.com"

R.I.P. James Peterson 1937-2010

I first discovered James Peterson's solid Blues on a CD from the early 90's. Only later did I discover that he was also the father of the high energy singer (and multi instrumentalist) Bluesman Lucky Peterson.

Well, James Peterson passed away this week, on Dec. 12, 2010.

He was active in recent years in the Tampa Bay Florida Blues scene.

Rest in peace James.

See and hear James Peterson - live performance video.

Open Letter to Gil Scott Heron

Hello Gil,
I was so elated when I first heard that you were coming to perform here in Tel Aviv, both my wife and I were really looking forward to seeing and hearing you in person.
I have been a big fan since the 1970's when I happened upon your album Bridges (Hello Sunday, Hello Rose), and I have tried to follow your career through the years, as well as introduce my friends to your music. I also do the occasional radio show and I have broadcast your music many times, as well as introduced other radio people here in Israel to your albums.

Today, I am very disappointed in you. The newspapers are announcing that you have canceled your Israel show at the urging of a few individuals and based on hearsay and political propaganda.
I really thought you were more intelligent and sensitive than to swallow lies from propaganda machines. In the past, I think that you had the keen observation tools to see through the establishment "bull", and to form your own very unique opinions - that is at least the Gil Scott Heron that I thought I knew...

Regardless of your scheduled performance here, I invite you to come to Israel, walk around Jerusalem with me, walk around a few other towns, meet some local artists, feel the pulse of the people here, see for yourself!!!

A couple of things to ponder -
would a country or a people that has such a "bad rap" politically in the world today be able to produce a democracy where Arab citizens of Israel sit in its parliament and openly criticize the government on a regular basis?
Would an "ogre" or a "pariah" people have such great artist and musicians, especially in the international Jazz world which requires sensitivity and creativity at the highest level?

Please do not take the word of those who only seem to have hatred, death and destruction on their agenda, and completely deny our right to exist peacefully, come here and make up your own mind!!!

And maybe you can help to bridge the gaps and change attitudes with the magic of music!!!

Sincerely,
Eli ("Dr. Blues") Marcus

Lazer Lloyd Blues Band - new Blues in the Holy Land

This is a repost and update - the Lazer Lloyd Blues Band is recording a new album,
and I hope to have more news soon of special appearances and touring by this amazing dynamic power Blues/Rock trio.





Lazer Lloyd is an American guitarist and phenomenal Blues/Rock artist who lives in the Holy Land of Israel.
He is known worldwide for his power Rock Blues trio Yood.

Lazer has recently renewed his Blues power trio -
the Lazer Lloyd Blues Band,
and he's opening on March 27, 2010 for the Snowy White Blues Project,
which is performing in Tel Aviv, Israel for the first time.

Listen to recent recordings by Lazer on his MySpace page,
and check out live video at Lazer Lloyd's YouTube Channel


enjoy...

R.I.P. Marva Wright - NOLA Gospel and Blues singer

Gospel, blues artist Marva Wright dead at 62

(AP) – 7 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans blues and gospel singer Marva Wright died Tuesday at age 62, her former manager said.

Adam Shipley confirmed that Wright died of complications from a stroke she suffered last year.

She sang traditional jazz and gospel standards but was better known for sultry, sometimes bawdy blues songs. Among her best known songs were "Heartbreakin' Woman" and "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

She released a series of albums on local and international record labels, and frequently performed in Europe and at blues festivals around the country. With her band, the BMWs, she drew large crowds for performances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

As a child, Wright listened to her mother sing and play piano at church. Among her childhood memories were visits to Chicago, the adopted home of New Orleans gospel great Mahalia Jackson, who had grown up with Wright's mother.

"My mother would go to the national Baptist convention," Ms. Wright once said, according to an account in The Times-Picayune newspaper. "When it convened in Chicago, Mahalia would say, 'Girl, you don't need to get no hotel. Stay with me.' That's what my mother would do. I met Mahalia when I was 9 years old, but I never realized she was that popular until I got older."

But Wright didn't start singing professionally until she was almost 40, according to a biography on her Web site.

Wright was hospitalized last June after suffering a serious stroke following a gig at the CoCo Club on Bourbon Street. Relatives said then that she had just recovered from an earlier, less serious stroke.

On the Net:

• http://www.marvawright.com

Poor man, but a good man, Skip James

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