Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), USA - A Juneteenth concert
featuring two pioneers of Blues music will celebrate America's roots and the
distinctly American art of the Blues. The concert will be held on Juneteenth & Father's Day, Sunday, June 19th 2005; 2 - 3 p.m. at the National Liberty Museum
located at 321 Chestnut Street in Old City, Philadelphia.
George Higgs and Lightnin' Wells, both from North Carolina, will perform tunes honed from a combined 100+ years playing the Blues. This hands-on concert will provide a memorable and thrilling experience for the entire family in celebration of Juneteenth, a holiday which marks the end of slavery in the U.S.
George Higgs & Lightnin' Wells, in Philadelphia for the very first time, will
perform Blues music rooted in the early 1900s using harmonica, voice, guitar,
banjo, ukulele and more. Both experienced educators, Higgs and Wells will
demonstrate instrumental techniques and give an ongoing narrative of the roots
and magic of the Blues to create an exciting, interactive experience for
audience members of all ages. Their music will celebrate Americans' shared roots
and multicultural heritage to mark the Juneteenth holiday.
At 75 years of age, George Higgs took part in the birth of the
Blues genre and has been performing ever since; more recently, his "Tarboro
Blues" was named best album of 2001 by Living Blues magazine. Both Higgs and
Wells have recorded albums and performed at prestigious festivals and venues
across the globe, including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Lincoln Center and
more. Both men live in North Carolina and are represented by the Music Maker
Foundation.
The National Liberty Museum is dedicated to celebrating democracy and diversity,
promoting respect and defusing violence. Located at 321 Chestnut Street in the
heart of Philadelphia's historic district, the Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
daily through the summer months. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.
For more information on the Museum, call (215) 925-2800 or visit
http://www.libertymuseum.org.
[Photo 1: George Higgs, Photo 2: Lightnin' Wells. Both photos courtesy of National Liberty Museum].
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050616191220518