"Blues music and culture brings people together. It transcends the color line and gives people a common ground on which to communicate. Blues has the ability to bring different cultures, races and genders together and not think about who you are or where you came from. Music is a healer and the glue that holds us together."

Zakiya Hooker: The Legacy of The…

"Blues simplifies and with such emotional fortitude that much of what you speak is broken down to the bear bones. Music of the heart and soul should and does have the power to do such."

Rott'n Dan & Lightnin: Roots Earth Music

Dan and the Lightnin' Willy are an acoustic duo focusing on Pre-War, Piedmont and Country Blues. In doing so they are…

"For Americans our Blues, Roots, and Jazz are the music genres that have helped defined us internationally. We’ve exported them as our cultural ambassadors. They’ve given birth to numerous other important styles of music such as rock n roll and soul music. Can you imagine a world without them?"

Phil Gammage: It's Real Good Music

Phil Gammage’s…

"I'd like to think that it opens up the opportunity for people from different walks of life to relate and understand each other's life experience and stories. This music is very much a personal and societal expression of what it means to go through life's ups and downs and come out the other side better."

Ben Rice: Rising Blues Star

Ben Rice has…

"Activism is an ack we all should carry everyday until every human is in peace with love in these beautiful world of ours. When I have a chance to change something to become better, I take the chance and that is my inspiration. (Doing and not just complain about anything.)"

Justina Lee Brown: Music, Love & Unity

Justina Lee Brown, a…

"Music is all about emotional impact. It is a superpower that once you know how to wield, things change forever. You have the power to make people cry in an instant or laugh or feel certain feelings. You cannot let that go unnoticed and you certainly cannot occupy yourself with art that does not trigger such emotions."

Remi: The Troubadour & The Road…

"My hopes are that the blues are discovered by a new generation and my fears are that the “gatekeepers of the blues” will not accept new and innovative blues expressions."

Val Starr: Lighter Side of The Blues 

Val Starr has experienced a lifetime of music both as a performer and music industry executive. Raised in southern California, Val started…

"I would just make people more open-minded. I would want people to be more receptive to new music, and ask that they be willing to challenge their own ideals. I feel that the music industry has gotten stagnant, and I believe this basic notion of shaking things up would help change that for the better."

Ryan Slatko: Black & White Jazz Keys…

For me “Blues” is about the human life experience set to music. In that sense, all musicians who play from the heart and soul are playing "the blues."

Jim Roberts: On The Highway from Detroit City to Mississippi and Beyond

Jim Roberts and The Resonants have arrived on the musical scene. Their sound is firmly routed in the deep south and midwest where…

"Music is after all a community thing - expression, friendships and joy. Work hard, but don't be too serious and always be nice to your peers and grateful that you can do this - playing music."

Assaf Kehati: Jazz & Velour Dreams

Assaf Kehati is a Brooklynite jazz guitarist and composer. He is dedicated to his craft, has a keen sense of style,…