Big Joe Turner at the left is the archtypal KC blues guy. A bartender who started out shouting the blues from back of the bar, he fronted big bands shouting the blues in a style that became known for the city where he originated it. He spanned the eras all the way to the birth of rock'n'roll. Kansas City blues has always been eclectic, and you're liable to hear anything and everything on a night out on the town, from Fast Johnny Ricker's slide swamp stylings that treat the blues like the cubists treated painting, to the Uptown Rulers, a horn band par excellance, to Eugene Smiley, a gentleman of the blues and long time father figure on the scene, to Provine "Li'l" Hatch, renowned harp master. Check the Blues Society web site listed below for the full breadth of the KC blues scene, from the musicians to the clubs. I've always been interested in music as a former dancer (ballet and modern) and stage performer (New York, San Francisco, Santa Barbara). I wasn't listening to a lot of music when I first got to town but soon the legacy and tradition of KC music seeped into my soul through the airwaves (Chuck Haddix' Friday and Saturday Night Fish Fry on KCUR-FM, 89.3), and I've been off and running ever since!
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Favourite links
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Kansas City Blues Society Home Page
Welcome to the home site of the Kansas City Blues Society, linked round the world wherever people have the blues! Check out the links to other blues related sites and the Blues Ring instant transport to 'round the world blues hopping.
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Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival
Kansas City's own Blues and Jazz Festival, held in July, when its a tossup whether the music or the weather is hotter! This year's event was a magnificent unfolding of musical experience from Pat and Mike Metheny's opening night mastery on the Jazz Stage to the compelling personage of Louisiana Red on the Heritage Stage and in the Soul School Pavilion to the endless parade of Blues master including Son Seals, Wilson Pickett, Jimmie Vaughn, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin and Pinetop Perkins (on the Heritage Stage) and on and on! Drop by and say
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The Grand Emporium
First Lady of Blues Clubs in the KC Metro area. Check out their web site for the latest information on all the acts coming through town, not just blues but also reggae, world beat, alternative, new swing, you name it, its been here!
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Email me on:
[email protected]
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