Brownsville will be
celebrating the blues Saturday, July 19, when one of West Tennessee's most noted music
historians and bluesman takes the stage at the Delta Heritage Center. Dr. David
Evans, known as the "doctor of the Blues," will perform live on the
porch of the Sleepy John Estes home.
Joining
Evans will be Zeke Johnson and Brownsville's own Alina Woods during the summer
music series "Concert on the Porch" beginning at 7 p.m.
Evans
has been performing country blues since 1962, having learned directly from many
of the old southern blues musicians. One of those musicians was Brownsville
bluesman Hammie Nixon. Evans toured with Nixon for five years. He is currently
Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Memphis and is a specialist
in American folk music, particularly the blues. In 2003, Evans won a Grammy
Award for "Best Album Notes." He performs in Europe and South America,
and can also be seen performing across the Mid-south with the Last Chance Jug
Band.
"We're
excited to have Dr. Evans back on the porch," says Center Director Sonia
Outlaw-Clark. "It's magical to listen to him sitting on Sleepy's porch and
singing some of the same songs that Sleepy would have performed."
Zeke
Johnson began his musical career in 1963. Soon after, he was fortunate to meet
the legendary Furry Lewis. With Lewis, Fred McDowell and Booker White as
mentors, Johnson began to develop his musical skills and style. Fifty years
later, he still performs around West Tennessee and has performed at the
Gaslight in New York. His original Guild D-40 guitar has been played by a
variety of music greats including Sleepy John Estes and Jessie Mae Hemphill and
Johnson still performs using that same guitar.
Joining
the bluesmen is 17-year-old Alina Woods. Woods began singing in the fifth grade
and most recently placed in the top three in the local Haywood's Got Talent
competition. She has won awards for song leading and dance. She describes her
music style as a cross between pop and country with Blues undertones. Woods has
performed many times on the Porch, including Exit 56 Blues Fest and Tina Turner
Heritage Days.
Bleacher
seating is available or bring lawn chairs for the outdoor concert. Concessions
will be available on site. You are also welcome to bring a picnic or visit the
surrounding restaurants.
