Libraries, MCCC bring back Blues Series, Big Gig in person
After two years, the annual Blues Series and Big Gig are returning in person.
The popular series, now in its 36th year, is offered by the Monroe County Library System and Monroe County Community College and brings blues performances to venues across the county. The series was presented virtually the past two years.
This year’s performances will celebrate Michigan artists, past and present.
“Established in February 1988, the series is known as the longest-running annual blues festival in Michigan,” the library system said. “A committee working with the library is producing this year’s program, taking over for longtime organizer Bill Reiser, who passed away in December 2021.”
Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr. is serving as the musical director for the Blues Series and Big Gig and is coordinating the roster of participating musicians.
“It is great to be doing live performances again. We are looking forward to people engaging with the music and honoring the legacy of Bill Reiser,” Jones said.
This year, six “Tuesdays are Blues Day” concerts will take place at Oaks Village and several library branches throughout the county: South Rockwood, Ida, Carleton, Bedford branches and the Ellis Library & Reference Center. The series opens Jan. 31 and runs through March 7. All performances begin at 7 p.m. and are free. The public is welcome.
Tuesday concerts will feature area musicians who perform a broad range of blues and gospel styles. Among the performers will be Flint-based gospel group The Flint Southernaires (Feb. 7); acoustic blues duo Shari Kane and Dave Steele (Feb. 14); Carla Cooke (Feb. 21), the daughter of performer Sam Cooke, performing the music of her father as well as original compositions; singer and pianist Airey B (Feb. 28) and her band paying tribute to early blues women; and harmonica master and longtime series favorite Peter “Madcat” Ruth (March 7) performing with his band C.A.R.Ma. The Good, The Bad & The Blues will open the series on Jan. 31.
Also going live this year is the main concert, The Big Gig, hosted by MCCC. It is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Meyer Theater of the La-Z-Boy Center at MCCC. Doors open at 6 p.m., and seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. The Big Gig’s headliner is the R.J. Spangler Blues Review with special guest vocalists Tosha Owens, Sean Carney and John “Tbone” Paxton.
“The group will pay tribute to the Detroit blues sound past and present. Rev. Jones will open the show as he has since 1988, followed by the new generation of Detroit blues displayed by singer and guitarist Chris Canas and his band,” the library system said.
Program Development Coordinator Tim McGorey said, “The original intention was to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting the artistic contributions African-American artists have made to our culture."
"This sentiment remains true more than three decades later as the series has grown and garnered national attention," the library said. "Among the awards earned by the long-running community program are national recognition from The Blues Foundation’s ‘Keeping the Blues Alive Award’ and the Public and Michigan Library Associations.”
This activity is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Sponsors include the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Monroe County Library System, MCCC, DTE Foundation, Friends of the Bedford Library, Friends of the Carleton Branch Library, Friends of the Dorsch Memorial Branch Library, Friends of the Ellis Library & Reference Center, Friends of the Ida Branch Library, and Friends of the South Rockwood Branch Library.
For a full list of performances, visit the library’s website at www.mymcls.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Libraries, MCCC bring back Blues Series, Big Gig in person
