"I miss the value and attention that music once had, when people really listened deeply to a recording or to a live show. I miss crowds of people dancing, and I miss talking to audience members- shaking hands, conversation between sets- without fear of getting sick. I miss performing for people who actually came to hear live music, instead of playing with their phones and talking loudly. I miss traveling."…

"It (music) has always been helping yourself and the people who listen to you to forget for as long as possible all the troubles that surround us all."

Doug James: Mr. Low & His Bari Sax

Baritone sax specialist Doug James was born in Turlock, California in 1953. An early interest in music was encouraged by his mother, an organist in his…

"Re music’s impact sociologically…Its hard to define how and when music actually changes things. It certainly doesn’t work immediately, and it doesn’t work on everyone. What it tends to do is seep into the fabric of society and through popularity, controversy, discussion or its very presence make a difference."

Kevin Godley: Instinctive & Intuitive Music…

"The impact of music on the socio-political, racial, spiritual environment is that it makes people think, and feel, and consider a different way of looking at things and feeling about things. That can lead to action which can then make an actual positive change in whatever the situation is."

David Sancious: Eyes Wide Open

World-renowned performing…

"The blues is music about deep feelings and emotions that can bring back memories, good and bad. It’s a healing music that helps us all get through life’s ups and downs so I think that’s why it will never die."

Mark May:

Music Crossroads, Southern Gumbo

Texas-based veteran…

"I hope it gives cause for many more people to "do music brain." Access to these levels of knowledge, wisdom, and creative potential are unmatched in our human timeline. To waste them would be a great tragedy."

Derek Wesley Arnold: Daydreams In Music

Derek Wesley Arnold is an American songwriter and performer from Clayton, North Carolina. He began…

"I guess my hopes and fears surround whether artists outside of the mainstream, most successful, can survive and live. That the art of making organized noise is valued enough that people can dedicate their life to that craft."

CD Woodbury: World’s Gone Crazy

From a reputation as an ace sideman and “The Northwest’s best kept secret” in the Pacific…

"Make the best of the situation you’re in. Keep an open mind. No matter how many miles you travel, it’s a small world after all."

Pete Thelen: Musical Journeys

A few years after the Second World War, Pete Thelen was born into the American Midwest’s cradle of blues: Chicago. He spent his first seventeen years there, listening to rock and roll and…

"Trojan Records touched me in many ways ... mostly in that it instilled a long and fortunately very lasting appreciation for Jamaican music and culture. That the music from that era continues to excite and inspire is because it is culturally and musically valid, good tunes, well played with feeling and originality by good musicians."

Bob Bell: One World, One Love, One…

"Blues music connects and brings people together on many levels all around the world. Learning about the history of the music you also learn about the culture. You should never underestimate the power of music."

Micke Björklöf: Dr. Blues Healer

Bandleader and singer Micke Björklöf founded Blue Strip with bass…

"Blues started through the hardships of black people in this country, and it spread to the wider audience of a multicultural nation and world. Blues speaks to the human experience because it comes from a place of deep feeling. Most people when they hear the blues, they recognize something in it because they feel the power of it."

Daniel Castro: Deep Strong Blues Love …

"I do think music is a direct reflection of what’s going on in the world yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I also believe with a powerful song you can sway the direction of a culture, but few have ever done that."

Hector Anchondo: All Directions Blues

Hector Anchondo doesn’t just play the blues— he lives and breathes the blues. At 16-years-old, the…

"I believe the music we play at it’s best makes people feel good, want to get up and move, and is an honest, no frills expression of the human experience."

Richard Laitaile: In A Roomful Of Blues

Richard Laitaile (tenor & alto sax) joined Roomful of Blues in 1970 and was there at the beginning of what has become the most legendary…

"Music is the closest we get to the Divine. I would like music to bring people together, make them happy, compassionate and alert."

Foko Bouklis: Heaven vs Hell 

Foko (Fokion) Bouklis is a guitarist and composer currently living and working in Thessaloniki, Greece. Back in 1981, Foko moved to the US to study at Berklee College of…

"Blues music has made me see the world more realistic. Even though different places have different cultures, we go thru some of the same situations and have some of the same problems."

Andrew ‘Jr.Boy’ Jones: A True Bluesman

Andrew ‘Jr. Boy’ Jones was raised in Dallas, Texas, by his mother Gladys, who was a single parent after divorcing her husband…

"This music is healing and can bring people together. There is way too much divisiveness happening today. We can come together under music, and celebrate all the things we have in common – being decent human beings. I want them to get happy, feel free, get healed, feel amorous, dance and let go! Music should allow you to freak out without being judged. Come to a show and sing LOUDLY!  I’ll sing with you!"…

"Music has had a tremendous impact on social awareness and pop culture. Two cases in point when I was growing up: Bob Dylan had a huge impact on raising awareness during the turbulent 60s that still resonates today. The Beatles changed the way young men looked worldwide. I believe music should inspire, uplift, invoke depth of feelings, and at times bring joy to peoples' hearts."

Gregg Martinez: Bayou…

"As far as Society and Culture with Rock, Blues and related styles I think the past provides perspective. You had the blues originating from the south, out of human suffering, poverty and oppression and it almost became a language that spread because it resonated with anyone who ever felt pain like that. Or any pain at all for that matter."

Jeremy Edge: Rock n' Blues…

"I think that Blues is essentially American music created by Afro-American descendants by means of expression, solace and escape from terrible conditions of slavery and segregation suffered by the hands of European and North-Americans white people. These conditions have changed in a very good measure and the music as a way of expression It don’t have much relation with those conditions."

Javier…

"I know through my music, I would like to tear down walls and remove mental barriers that are based on the unfounded fear of truth. Create an open dialogue founded on empathy and respect. Only through acknowledgement and understanding can we move forward and grow together."

Will Boyd: Freedom, Soul, Jazz, & Sax

Multi-reed instrumentalist,…