"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,…

"Generally, Blues songs are not protest or political songs. American folk music is been related with labor movement and left-wing politics. Such music started its political impact at 30s and main subject of lyrics was close to working class needs."

Christos Konstantinidis:

The Blues Is The Roots…

"Reggae's like blues in that if you don't believe in what you're doing, it doesn't work. Authenticity is key and many reggae artists are sincere in their rage and frustration, as well the desire to help create a better world with their music."

John Masouri: Caribbean Soul, Irie Blues

John Masouri is an author, music journalist, reviewer,…

"I hope one day music will again be as important to us as it used to be. Video games and the internet have taken the place of music. Now people go to concerts to take selfies. Music used to be a part of every one's life. You woke up to it, went to sleep with it, and songs defined moments in our lives. I hope there will always be people who want to make real music (no matter the genre), and people who want to hear it."…

"Blues music originated as African American music, which is cross cultural music in its nature. Music connects us all. We can, and do, connect hearts across the world with music. Differences dissolve via music shared. Common ground can be found via music. Music heals. This is how I want music to affect people, and it does."

TJ Norton: The Man and His Suitcase…

"I miss the wisdom contained in the music from the past, we live in an information age where knowledge is so widely available and so easy to obtain, but wisdom still remains highly elusive. Listen to Muddy Waters sing, or Freddie King play, how they deliver a lyric or a lick, this comes from an entirely different place than anything you can find on google, this for me is humanity at its best."…

"In the beginning music was so young and fresh, people were excited to try new things and there was lots of opportunity for experimentation. Nowadays with technology things can sometimes become a bit repetitive."

Big Pacific: Rockin On The Blue(s) Waves

Big Pacific is Vancouver Island's premier original…

"The blues as it resides within our (US) history and culture has deeply influenced how I appreciate music and everyone in my life. Blues music is and always was the root of rock and roll. From there, we have learned to push the boundaries in music, art and fashion. The rebellious nature of rock and roll was born in the US Deep South where blues music wasn’t well received in the communities and churches."…