Joe Turner News

This is the week of November 30th, 2009 We kick off the week with an extended workout with Big Joe Turner , the boss of the blues.

General thoughts of fun stuff, like music, books and the like. Mostly positive but poorly thought out reactions to things I've been reading and listening to.

If President Obama were to appoint a Boogie Woogie Czar - someone to travel the world promoting the rolling and rollicking Blues style popularized in the late '30s by pioneers like Albert Ammons and Big Joe Turner - Cincinnati-based pianist Ricky Nye would definitely be on the short list for the appointment.

ONE of the leading lights on the British rhythm'n'blues scene, Big Boy Bloater and the City Shakers produces an energetic blend of blues, boogie and rock'n'roll that has thrilled audiences around the world for 15 years.

Inspired by blues legends like T-Bone Walker, Charlie Patton and Big Joe Turner, Duke's guitar work has seamlessly spanned the worlds of jazz, blues and swing since he founded the renowned big band, Roomful of Blues, in 1967.

Blues fans can catch a rare opportunity to hear national acts and legendary blues and R&B musicians when Guitar Shorty, Blues Mafia and Blues Specialists take the stage for the next Roots Music concert Saturday, at Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg.

Summer speeds by with an abundance of festivals, but one of the largest of the season is the Russell City Blues Festival, celebrating Hayward's rich blues tradition.

Every Wednesday this summer, we're offering a quick course in early rock 'n' roll.

Bennington College teacher Scott Lehrer, whose work on August Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" is nominated for a Best Sound Design Tony Award, is unique.

I nearly bawled a couple of times while watching "Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl: The Concert Film." This is one of the most astoundingly artful live performances I've ever seen.

May 18 1911 Big Joe Turner is born in Kansas City, Mo. His shouting blues inspired rock singers like Elvis Presley and Little Richard.