Featured Articles Welcome Back: Javina Magness Remembering Ann Rabson Musings from Memphis: The 2013 International Blues Challenge On the Cover: Javina Magness By Eric Steiner In This Issue... Celebrating 23 Years of Blues 1989 - 2013 March 2013 Bluesletter Vol. XXV, Number III Publisher Washington Blues Society Editor & Art Director Jesse Phillips ([email protected]) Secretary Rocky Nelson Calendar Maridel Fliss ([email protected]) Advertising Malcolm Kennedy ([email protected]) Printer Pacific Publishing Company In Memoriam: Ann Rabson 5 LiveWire: Don O’Dell 13 Calendar 20 2013 Membership Update 25 www.pacificpublishingcompany.com Letter from the President 7 March Blues Bash 14 Blues on the Radio Dial 21 Passing the Torch 26 Musings from Memphis 8 CD Reviews 16 Jam Guide 22 Rick Estrin & the Nightcats 28 Contributing Writers: Billy “The Pocket” Barner, Rick Bowen, Bob Horn, Malcolm Kennedy, IBC Contest and Application 10 Birmingham Buzzkill 18 Venue Guide 22 Welcome Back, Javina Magness 30 Donnie Moorehouse and Eric Steiner Tommy Castro & the Painkillers 13 Festival Preview: Coeur d’Alene Blues 19 Talent Guide 23 Contributing Photographers: The Blues Boss, Bob Horn, Bill O’Dell, Jerry Peterson, and Eric Steiner Cover Photo: Javina Magness by Eric Steiner The Bluesletter welcomes stories and photos from WBS members! Features, columns and On the reviews are due by the 5th of each month in the following formats: plain text or Microsoft Word. Graphics must be in high-res 300 dpi .pdf, jpg, or .tiff formats. We encourage Cover: submissions. If a submitter intends to retain the rights to material (e.g., photos, videos, lyrics, Javina Magness by Eric textual matter) submitted for publication in the Bluesletter, or the WaBlues.org website, he Steiner or she must so state at the time of submission; otherwise, submitter’s rights to the material will be transferred to WBS, upon publication. We reserve the right to edit all content. The Washington Blues I also wanted to share a personal ever heard of the Bluesletter. Fellow BluesLovers, if Bluesletter is the official monthly publication of the Washington Blues Society. The WBS is Society President Eric experience that happened to me you’ve ever made it out to the Rec Room (and you not responsible for the views and opinions expressed in The Bluesletter by any individual. this month that reminded me why should) you know Mike and Jimmy by name for Steiner is a long-time blues society Letter from the Editor © WBS 2012 I love BluesLovers: My sweet man the BBQ Schacht for their wonderful smiles, they’re volunteer and represents affiliates on the Ah, Spring in the Pacific Northwest; we won’t and I purchased a house about a love of the blues and mostly, for their life-altering Blues Foundation Board of Directors in see a really warm day until July, but already year ago in the tiny little town of Bar-B-Que. The BBQ Schacht is right around the Memphis, Tennessee. This month’s cover Mission Statement the cherry tree in my front yard has delicate pink Des Moines. As I was heading home from a client corner from my house! Good food, good blues and photo of Blues Music Award winner Janiva The Washington Blues Society is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote, preserve, blossoms peeking out from the darkened branches. meeting last month I decided to try someplace my day was more than made! Magness is Eric’s first cover picture under and advance the culture and tradition of blues music as an art form. Annual membership is $25 for new for lunch that was on my new regular route. Jesse Phillips’ editorial direction, and his individuals, $35 for couples, and $40 for overseas memberships. The Washington Blues Society is a Just a quick note to highlight page 10 and 11 the Take the time to make it out to the Rec Room this story welcoming Janiva back to Seattle’s tax-exempt nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible. The Washington Blues Society International Blues Challenge Awards are being As I got out of my car the smell of smoking meat month from some amazing blues and incredible Jazz Alley last month is in this issue. is affiliated with The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. considered with a couple of amazing band battles nearly knocked me over and started my drooling. Bar-B-Que! Until next time, This year’s Blues Music Awards will be that really need to be on your calendar, whether I walked in the door and Louis Armstrong was held at the Cook Convention Center in Washington Blues Society you are performing or just there to support your blaring on the radio and two of the sweetest guys Jesse Phillips, Editor downtown Memphis on Thursday, May P.O. Box 70604 - Seattle, WA 98127 favorite band. stopped cooking to say “hi”. We got to chatting about Washington Blues Society Bluesletter 9th, and for more information on this the Blues - like you do - and I asked them if they’d annual awards celebration, please visit www.wablues.org www.blues.org 2 3 Obituary Courtesy of Records Alligator Co-Founder of Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women Blues Uppity – The Saffire of Co-Founder Ann Rabson (1945 – 2013) Blues pianist/singer/songwriter/guitarist Ann Rabson died on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in Fredericksburg, Virginia after a long battle with cancer. She was 67. Co-founder of the hugely successful trio Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women, Rabson was a legendary force on the keyboards as well as being a deeply soulful vocalist. She recorded eight albums with Saffire and one solo CD for Alligator Records, and released three solo albums for other labels. Her most recent was 2012’s Not Alone (VizzTone Records). Rabson’s prodigious talent, along with her take-no-guff attitude, struck a chord with music fans around the world. Considered one of th e finest barrelhouse blues pianists of her generation, Rabson -- an accomplished guitarist since she was a teen -- didn’t start playing piano until she was 35. DownBeat magazine said that “Rabson plays bluesy, honky-tonk piano with staggering authority.” Pianist/Singer/Songwriter Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, Rabson’s long-time friend and producer, says Ann was a driving force in the blues world. “Our dear friend Ann Rabson was an extraordinary blues singer, pianist and guitarist and a delightful, smart and funny person. As a founding member of Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women, a solo recording artist and a live performer, she brought her talent, intelligence and intense love for the blues tradition to every piece of music she played and sang. Ann never gave her music or the rest of her life less than 100% of her commitment. She was a loyal friend, a dedicated champion of the blues, a loving partner to her husband George, and an unforgettable woman. We were blessed to have known her.” Blues Memoriam: In Rabson was born in New York on April 12, 1945 and raised in Ohio. As a child she was touched by the blues. “Blues speaks to me directly. It wasn’t a choice, I was drawn to it naturally, sort of like a sheepdog with sheep,” she said. She received a guitar from her father when she was 17 and found role models in Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie, one of the few early female blues guitarists. Ann quickly became an accomplished guitar player and first sang professionally while still in high school. By age 18 she was performing around the Midwest. In 1971, Ann moved with her daughter to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she performed full-time and gave music lessons on the side. During this time, Ann and her guitar student, Gaye Adegbalola, decided to perform together and the seeds of Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women were sown. They pooled their money and recorded a demo tape, which they then forwarded to Alligator Records. Their 1990 self- titled debut became one of the label’s best-selling releases. With the addition of Andra Faye McIntosh in 1992, the trio continued to win over audiences around the world with their wholly original and captivating albums and joyous live performances. Their recordings for Alligator are among the best-selling in the label’s catalog. Ann released her first solo album, Music Makin’ Mama, in 1997. When Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women disbanded after 25 years in 2009, Rabson recorded three solo albums and continued to perform solo and with friends, including guitarist Bob Margolin. She appeared on recordings for numerous artists, including Cephas & Wiggins, Pinetop Perkins, EG Kight and Ani DiFranco. Ann is survived by her husband George Newman, daughter Liz Rabson Schnore and granddaughter Georgia Rabson 4 Schnore. Information on funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. For more information, please visit www.alligator.com. 5 Hi Blues Fans! This year’s International Blues the Nashville Blues Society’s annual showcase returned to B.B. King’s. Keb’ Mo’ played a Washington Blues Society Challenge was a lot of fun. Well over 100 blues free concert at the Raise the Roof! Rally – and past Blues Foundation Board president Paul March 2013 DEADLINES: Proud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation fans joined blues society competitors from Benjamin and President and CEO Jay Sieleman presided over a live auction that rose over Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, $50,000 in less than an hour. The Memphis Blues Society pledged $10,000 to help Raise Advertising Space Reservations: March 5th 2013 Officers [email protected] and Idaho. With each passing International the Roof! – the largest contribution by any Blues Affiliate to-date.