Amuse Bouche in the First State - by chefjimi

It is simply amazing at the high quality Blues festivals that are within a good days driving distance from almost anywhere out here. Case in point, The Riverfront Blues Festival in Wilmington, Delaware which is in it's 13th year put on one spectacular three-day event for fans from all over. This year set an attendance record of over 7000 for the weekend.

Local Selections from the First State
Kudos to the Tina Betz and others at the Wilmington Mayor's Office Department of Cultural Affairs and to Gene Fontana of the Diamond State Blues Society, and to all the volunteers (A.J., gets special thanks) who year after year put this festival on. A very nice thing, and something more should think about doing - have it downtown in the heart of the city. Hotels close, beautiful Christina River backdrop, holy crab cakes Batman, this place was very close to Blues heaven.



lower case blues. In case you haven't noticed my affinity for e.e.cummings (in my name ?) this power trio from Newark (New- Ark) Delaware fell immediately into favor with me. Featuring lead guitarist Jake Banaszak, B.J. Muntz on bass-vocals and Rick Webster on drums and muggs ! These boys were the local International Blues Challenge winners and are way too good for their age.

Gary Allegretto (2 time Grammy Nominee) a super harp player from Wilmington made a repeat appearance at the festival. He turned the 'second' stage into the main stage as he displayed some superb harp-attack sensibilities and threw some

heat with a local song entitled 'Dela-where' dedicated to his home state. Gary has been on the main stage three times prior and there was fear they might change the name to the Allegretto Blues Festival.

Firsts in the First State
First time seeing Bernard Allison, John Lee Hooker, Jr., Skyla Burrell, The Nouveaux Honkies and Mitch Kashmar. Not a disappointing act in the group.

My darling bride's mother, Geri, joined us for the Friday night show, we trekked her down from Devon, PA and she was the belle of the ball.


Meeting our friends, musicians and (her best moment) meeting Sugar Mae and Robert Jr. from Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine. Geri knows no strangers, just friends she hasn't met yet !


The Delta Groove Harp Blast's Mitch Kashmar was cool in his white shirt and nicely coiffed hair, but hot on the harp and vocals as he had the crowd bringing presents to him after the closing set on Friday night.

The Nouveaux Honkies partnered with veteran Blues Man, Matt Guitar Murphy for some dazzling and varied forms of Blues. It was good to see Matt out there playing again, this man is clean, I tell ya, note for note each one rings true and clear.

On a hot Sunday afternoon (95) John Lee Hooker, Jr. & the Hooker Band were incendiary. Having lost their trailer on the way with their clothes and stuff, they hit the stage and grabbed the crowd by the scruff of their necks and shook

them till they had enough. Ok like if that wasn't enuf, John Lee, Jr. had a 'booty shake call' - wherein he brought up four women to dance and shake their booties and the crowd voted with applause to select the winner. That was just a hoot - a whole lotta shakin' going on !

Travellin' Bands
OK, so to show how well thought of this festival is by the artists, we had Mike Zito come in from Colorado on the red-eye. Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers from California. Deanne Bogart flew in mid-afternoon Sunday from Des Moines. But the wildest travel schedule was any the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Review band (a good part of them) as they flew in from Norway – yeh THAT Norway, not Norway, Michigan (look it up).

Each of these performers – all of these performers – gave outstanding shows. I had been contacted about Zito Band just slaying them in Colorado, well they repeated the gesture in Delaware. Rod and the Mighty Flyers brought that West Coast Swing style and transplanted it on the shores of Delaware. Deanna & the LRBR band brought a little bit of the Legendary Cruise Jam sessions with them and closed out the festival with such high-energy that people were left slack-jawed by the energy level and musical talent they displayed.

Senior Discounts and Kids Play Free

Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, point man for The Perfect Age of Rock & Roll Band brought with him none less than the storied Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Williee 'Big Eyes' Smith, Mojo Buford, and Bob Stroger. These legendary artists are among our last links to The Wolf, Muddy and others who are gone but not forgotten. In spite of the defibrillators, oxygen tanks and a noticable slowed pace these gentlemen of the Blues just know how to play it right.

These guys were the most welcoming to the fans and those of us who were working the fest. Allowing pictures of them with fans, kisses (gentle) and firm handshakes highlighted the back stage occurrences.

As for kids, we did have Bernard son of Luther, John Lee Jr., both of these 'chips off the old blocks' proved that the Blues bloodlines run deep and sturdy. Both of these artists share the award for giving the 'best face' during their performances.




Now kids come in all sizes and ages. Gary Allegretto has an organization 'Harmonikids' that puts harmonicas in underprivileged kids hands and mouths and spread s the blues worldwide. On Saturday and Sunday between main stage acts he workshops on how to play a harmonica. His audience ranged from six to sixty (give or take a few) and everyone came away with a harmonica in the key of C, and a cheat sheet with Hootchie Cootchie Man and other exercises for the grand sum of $5. You can find out more about this organization at this link http://www.harmonikids.org/ .



Menu Planning
One cannot live on music and beer alone. Well, wait a second now....
speaking of beer the beer tent had roughly 7 or 8 types of beer on tap ranging from a light beer thru a banana toned weissen, to a thick roasted chocolate porter.

The food was an interesting mix of local chefs, all were quite good. Saturday my breakfast was a Caribbean Jerk chicken plate, with Beans and rice
and cabbage to catch the jerk juice. Lunch


(a short time later) was Fat Ricks BBQ, and good Q at that. Heck, when last seen, John Lee Jr. was carting off a small stockpile of plates from Rick. One fun snack was the Popcorn vendor who had a list of 20 or so options for your popcorn. Dill Pickle, Sour Cream and Chives, and others to compliment those colds drafts that kept appearing in my hand.

Dessert – A Tale of the Tongues
As has become a somewhat regular part of these menus, we now feature the piece de' resistance' or overheard snippets from the Riverfront Blues Festival.

“I want to go up and kiss him, he's so cute” – backstage missus on Pinetop Perkins

“Heck, give him a lap dance, he'd appreciate that a helluva lot more” - male friend to her.

“Why, in every picture of me, I am holding a beer?”

“ Just where will this all access pass get me with you?”

“Dela- who, Dela- what, Dela – when, Dela-why, Dela-where”

Second Helpings
As if the LRBR wasn't enough of a 'land cruise' adventure, there was a massive showing of force by the East Coast Bluescruise family. As the fest grew closer Face Book and the LRBC chat room were abuzz with peeps reaching out to see who was going to be on site at the festival. With the likes of Keb' Man & Mary Beth, Kenny from Long Island, the JoPats, Carrie, KatluvsBlues and many more it was a nice reunion in the warmth of Wilmington. We are all getting ready for the January Cruise, and some are making the trek to San Diego for the friendly confines of the October Blues cruise.

Second Son – Second Base, to First - Double Play !
With Gary Allegretto hailing from Wilmington, nearly everyone in attendance knew him. But none other than George Thorogood is from Delaware (band was 'Delaware Destroyers') and that he played semi-pro baseball in Wilmington in the seventies. Now, of course, everyone knows George, and from the sound of what people were telling me, just about everyone played baseball with him at one time or another. Go figure.
Now George was no slacker, he played second base and was Rookie of the Year in his first year with the Destroyers team. When I spoke to George about this a short while after the festival he only asked one question and it was “did they say I was the best guy playing there? If so then they really did play with me'. That's pure classic George, funny and sly like a fox.

And it would be remiss to not mention the third of the Wilmington Triumverate, Mr. Bill Wax, of Sirius/XM Radio, and recently was elected President of the Blues Foundation.

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease



If you enjoyed this serving of the Blues, you might want to check out my other articles, as I roam around seeking out the Blues wherever they are happening.
http://www.ameriblues.com/search/label/chefjimi

all photos used by permission
courtesy of Leslie K. Joseph, chefjimi.

copyright © 2010 – bluesuitspeaks, all rights reserved.

Shipless Blues Cruise by Jim Stick

(Boulder, Colorado) On March 12th and 13th of this year the The Boulder Outlook Hotel put on a blues event that was unique in many ways. They called it a "Shipless Blues Cruise". Owner Dan King and booker Honey Sepeda brought in two major national blues acts for the weekend that Neil Simon, who wrote the play "The Odd Couple', would have been proud of the diversity between: Bob Margolin and Jason Ricci and New Blood. They further spiced up the weekend by booking two of the most accomplished Colorado blues bands in The Informants and the Delta Sonics.

It was a fascinating blues experience to see the modern harp wunderkind Ricci and his band, who stretch the modern blues envelope multi-dimensionally to the breaking point with a dazzling display of jazz\blues\funk instrumental wizardry, invite former Muddy Waters band mate and guitar player Margolin on stage to play with them. Then the next night, Margolin returned the favor and invited Ricci up to jam with him. One thing was plainly obvious--though they are on different ends of the blues spectrum--they both have a tremendous amount of respect for each other.


Jason Ricci and Bob Margolin

Margolin explained it to me this way about playing with Jason Ricci & New Blood:

"We call it Jason Ricci & Old Blood when I am up there. Believe me, I live my life around nasty old blues, but I appreciate other kinds of music if it is creative and soulful and that is Jason. I think he is incredibly creative. I don't know how to play that stuff but it sure is fun to try with him and at least try and apply my greasy old blues to his funk songs or more outside things too. It's good fun for me and I am just in awe of him".


Insert the theme music from the TV show "The Odd Couple" here.

Margolin also weighed in on the talents of Ricci & New Blood's guitar player Shawn Starski:

"I'm knocked out. He's got incredible chops and a lot of creativity. What he and Jason are doing together with the band is just spectacular".

Margolin played a short warm up set on Saturday Ricci & New Blood's bass player Todd "Buck Weed" Edmunds who hauled out his acoustic upright bass for the duet. Margolin is also a fan of Edmunds:

"We were playing traditional blues and he can also play funk and jazz and all those other things with amazing chops".

Jason Ricci is a thoughtful, introspective and fascinating human being who has a lot to say. He is a very knowledgeable student on the history of the blues. I asked him about his thoughts on Margolin and the modern versus traditional views on blues. His eyes widened and lit up. He thought for a quick moment, and then a ten minute or so wave of thoughts poured out of his soul. Here are some of the highlights:

"What I found (in Bob) was a very nurturing human individual and I found an individual with an open mind. What I have gotten from Bob Margolin is much more than a traditional musical father figure or a lifetime father figure--although he is both of these--what I have is an ally. I have somebody that could represent better than anyone else the President of the Hate Jason Society---who doesn't hate me--who supports me. I mean the one guy who should--the one guy who has the credentials to say hey this kid ain't doing it right--is saying listen people the kid can do it any way he wants. Muddy did it any way he wanted and by the way when I sit in with your ass I don't want to play blues. I want to play whatever the f*** you guys are playing".


Ricci coaxes high notes out of his harmonica that remind one of a soprano saxophone. A truly amazing and unique musician.

Ricci continued:

"Margolin is his own cat. He doesn't play just like Muddy. If Muddy had played like Charlie Patton---there wouldn't be a Muddy. If some of the guys who play traditional blues today (who look down on modern blues players) were alive in the 50's--they would be telling you that Little Walter is out of control, plays too many notes, and that Sonny Boy I was the real guy. It is so amazing that they don't have the awareness to see themselves like that. Bob's the best and I don't know what I would do without him".

Shawn Starski also had kinds words for his fellow guitar player Margolin:

"With Bob, I consider it as inspiration. His tone is great. His dexterity is great. His element of time and swing is impeccable. I just love it".

There were too many musical highlights during the weekend to list. The bands all played individually and jammed in more combinations than can be remembered. Kudos must go to the Boulder Outlook Hotel for thinking outside of the normal box and coming up with the Shipless Boat Cruise".


Ricci sitting in with The Informants and their sultry lead singer Kerry Pastine.

Owner Dan King explained the origins of the event to me this way:

"The whole idea of the "Shipless Blues Cruise" really started several years ago after talking to people who had gone on the real Blues Cruise. I really want to go too, but with two kids in college--I am about $4000 short! So we decided to do a mini-version here at the hotel and keep the price within reach of more people".


Margolin with Delta Sonics' harp player Al Chesis

Margolin was also impressed with the thought process behind the weekend:

"Usually a new idea takes a few years for it to work out and be profitable. They have done well with it and by the second year, they've sold all the tickets they want to sell and actually are limiting it so it won't be uncomfortably crowded for anybody. Whoever thinks of things like that instead of: gimme the money, gimme the money, gimme the money? One of the things about blues and blues club's owners--and it doesn't happen with everybody--but blues is an asshole filter. People aren't in it for the money. They are usually in it for the love and they use their creativity to try and find ways to make it work. You can't generalize it too much, because each situation is pretty specific, but you can generalize that people do have to think outside the box and be creative".


Denver based The Informants--tied this year for Best Self Produced CD in Memphis at the IBC.

Jim Stick is a blues writer\photographer living in Longmont, CO.
He has his own blues information website for the state of Colorado:
BluesinColorado.com

©Jim Stick, 2010

Electro Glide Records Stable

(Chicago, Illinois) This Coming Saturday March 20th there is a huge show coming to my area. Electro Glide Records will be launching it's new label with a CD Release of "No More Promises" the latest from Jimmy Warren and his band. I have a copy playing in my computer as I write this and belief me when I say "This is one hot CD".
 

Jimmy Warren Band

Jimmy writes all the material. The first cut is called "Watermelon Money". Jimmy says it was a phrase that his daughter used and he wrote a song about it. Another very interesting cut is called "Darker Side of Grey". It is an instrumental that reminds me of some of the great guitar pickers. I hear Hendrix, Trower, Santana and SRV all rolled into one. Bob Margolin contributes a lead line on "It Ain't Fair".  Jimmy Warren is an artist that will go a long way in this biz. An ex Capital Records executive has come out of retirement to manage him. This executive has said that he has more potential than some top name entertainers and the band can not be touched instrumentally. Mr. Executive has helped with Jimmy's digital distribution. That distribution is set for April 6th when "No More Promises" goes world wide. It can be ordered at Electro Glide Records Website.  Mr. Executive is setting up a meet with the PBS People later in the week.  

Al Stone is a phenomenal musician that is based out of Jacksonville, Florida.  I have heard excerpts from his soon to be released Cd called "I Want It all".  If Al keeps cranking out CD's like this then he will get it all.  His CD is scheduled to be released May 18 and Al will be at the showcase.  I am really looking forward to seeing and hearing him with Jimmy Warren March 20th.

Chris Beard @ Kingston Mines

A recent  entry to the "Stable' is none other than the legendary blues man Chris Beard. Chris just recently played at the legendary Kingston Mines and I attended. Killer, killer, killer. Chris exploded on stage. He is a true blues man. I have written before about the question, "Where does a musician get the emotion from?" I do not know in Chris's case, but it is the blues and it is as deep as the ocean and as wide as the blue sky.  Chris thank you for your contribution. Unfortunately Chris will not be at the March 20th show. He currently is bluesing it up overseas in the most unlikely of spots. Beirut, Lebanon. He has a one month engagement there. His CD release is scheduled for  May 25.

  "Catch Blues Band" is out of West Virginia and these boys have it going on. Mike Roeder lead guitarist and vocalist is responsible for  most of the original material. I have not heard these guys except for some videos on youtube. What I have heard is outstanding work and they will be opening up the showcase.


The group "Danny and The Devils" is on the Cd "Blues Compilation. They are based out of Chicago. I have not heard them nor have I participated in one of their performances. Judging from what I can gather off the internet thes guys are going to be smoking hot. They will be at the party also.


The Last entertainer scheduled to play march 20 is David Gerald. 
David is a Detroit, Michigan bluesman and one of the best. David Gerald will be on one of the future Blues CD compilation's. 


There will be a lot going on at this party. Jimmy Warren will be shooting a video for the European TV market. He plans on turning it into a DVD for U. S. distribution.  There will be a raffle for a signed Fender Guitar. All the musicians that play will sign it and if you bring a Sharpie and you win you'll be able to get some more. The $20 ticket price for this raffle will also include a free performance, subject to tour schedule of the "Jimmy Warren Band."  All proceeds from the raffle will go to the Peotone, Illinois food bank.


Some of the greatest blues men in the city have been invited and should be in the audience. I will not reveal their names because an invite is an invite. You do not have to come, but if you don't you are going to miss one of the biggest shows to hit the city in a long time.  


Watch the Electro Glide Records  website for upcoming releases. There is a couple of Blues compilation CD's coming out and I have it on good authority that Austin, Texas blues rocker Zak Perry is coming on board. If you have a CD you can submit it to the label. There is directions on the website.  


Yours truly will be Emceeing the whole event and I will be working without a net.
PS Watseka Theater on March 21

Blues Me Or Lose Me,

Gatorman

John the bassman says "What chord is that?"

PITTSBURGH: Gaye Adegbalola Interview by Monica Yasher

"I think blues does more than anything to heal the broken heart. There is no pain greater in the whole wide world than a broken heart."

I met Gaye Adegbalola a few years ago at the Elkins Blues Camp. She was my mentor in singing the blues. I took the blues vocal class. While there, I found that there are many sides to Gaye. She is able to speak her mind with forcefulness. She is able to be a teacher in a nurturing environment. She is able to talk lovingly of her mother and son. I am glad that I met Gaye; And, she is one of the most intelligent women I have met in my life. Don't take my word for it though. Read what Gaye shared with me and decide that for yourself!

Monica: I am here with Gaye from Saffire, and it’s my understanding that this is the last tour you will be doing with Saffire.

Gaye: That is correct. We have been together 25 years. Actually, Ann and I have been playing together since 78, so that’s 31 years we have been working together. And all along we worked to get to where we are and I was just telling you that I’m 65, so Lord willing I might have 10 more good years. Lord Willing, you know what I’m saying? So, I’m willing to put my energy in a different direction. If I should stay with the blues…if I stay with music….I’ll stay with the blues. And if I do, I’ll want a different sound. I want to play..you hear that drum set? (Delta Highway was playing.)

Monica: Yeah. (She laughs…)
That’s more you, huh?

Gaye: Yeah. I love doing what I’m doing. Don’t get me wrong. But, at this age, if I’m going to try something different, now is the time. I can’t keep on putting it off. So Saffire has been an amazing journey and we still love each other and we still make good music but that’s that’s where I am.

Monica: That’s one of the nice things about the blues…you always pick up and you meet and you still jam. That’s.. that’s the beauty of the blues so even though…

Gaye: Another good thing about the blues is that unlike some other kinds of music, the older you get… the more the authenticity…or the more you are revered you are welcomed to the family. You become a matriarch, instead of an old has been. People give you more respect. So I guess we’re at a point now where a lot of the people we really looked up to have passed on… KoKo Taylor, John Cephras, uh Ruth Brown. And, you know, of that tier who is left? Pinetop, you know Etta James is not that old. But, she is up there with them. So, you know you just keep moving on up and up. Yeah.

Monica: Let’s talk about the musical journey you have had. You are an individual artist too, and just in the past year you were nominated for contemporary blues female artist of the year ..

Gaye: Right.

Monica: So what do you think you did from other artists that put you in that group?

Gaye: Did you hear my last solo release? It is called Gaye without Shame. And that’s what it’s about. I am fully open and fully embracing who I am.

And, what I try to do in the CD is I try to take gay lesbian issues, or I should say queer issues, that’s more inclusive. Otherwise you get into transgender questioning or bisexual. I try to take queer issues to the blues community and I try to take blues to the queer community. So on that CD there is jump blues, piedmont blues, delta style blues, there’s classic blues. There’s all these different genres…different types of blues, and at the same time there are issues how I closeted myself. There’s a song for transgender folks. I wrote a love song with a woman. There are 2 rock songs with women. I sing with Resa (Gibbs) on one and I sing with…was Cleome there the year you were there?

Monica: No.

Gaye: OK alright. It was really…a contemporary undertaking, and Bob Margolin was the producer. So it had a real different sound from a Saffire sound. It had everything from accapella choir…to a just me and
Bob with his guitar and my vocal to a full band.

Monica: That Accapella choir, is that the song you shared in class? You invited a bunch of friends on a Sunday to do with you?

Gaye: That’s it. That’s the last cut of the CD.

And also on the CD is a segment of a speech I did at a pride rally, which compares the struggle for gay rights to the struggle for blacks and their rights. And, the differences of the two things. And, I end up by saying that you know you didn’t have to tell your Mama that your black. But, the hardest thing in life is to tell your mother that you’re gay. You know. So there’s such a big difference and a struggle. So that CD addressed all of those things. And, I played with Roddy (Barnes) a lot touring to promote the CD.

Monica: Was it hard to do or was it liberating to do?

Gaye: It was very liberating to do. I took it to Alligator at first and they weren’t interested. Instead of going to other record labels, I opted to do it myself. And then I had it distributed by Vizztone and PR’d by Vizztone, which is a different kind of label group. But, I knew I wanted to..I’ve always been an activist and I knew I wanted to curve my activisms in that direction. And, I had to do it through my music. So, no. It was not hard to do. I performed some of those songs at the blues music awards this year and…

Monica: How was that?

Gaye: Well I didn’t know how people were going to accept it.

Monica: Oh?

Gaye: And, uh, it was fine.

Monica: You were nominated. How could you think that people wouldn’t accept?

Gaye: Well because those that nominate are really like blues expert archivists, and they really know the music. Really…inside and out. A lot of people that vote, it’s like a popularity contest. And, I hadn’t toured a lot last year.. My touring is with Saffire. And Saffire, you know… Ann had three life threatening diseases last year. And in 2007, I had four hand surgeries. So in ‘07 and ‘08, Saffire didn’t work that much. So, I’m grateful that enough people heard Gaye without Shame, that I got the nomination this year.

Monica: How is the playing with the guitar and such?

Gaye: It’s good.

Monica: Oh good.

Gaye: It’s good.

Monica: Where you worried about that?

Gaye: No, guitar’s really not my long suit. No. I played just enough guitar to keep from dividing the money by more than three. And, so, I beat my guitar a lot. And, uh, I do different kinds of rhythmic patterns. Something like a… just a little background cushion . So it would be worse off If I couldn’t write.

Monica: Yeah, cause you are songwriter.

Gaye: Yeah my songwriting is much better than my guitar playing.

Monica: You say you’re a songwriter before a performer and all so..yeah.
(talking to Maureen) One thing Gaye taught me is that you shouldn’t be just a chick singer. I haven’t done anything with that yet. I still just show up and just sing. I’m hoping someday to do more than …

Gaye: All I’m saying, you know, is that if you play guitar or piano you can be independent. You don’t have to look for somebody to always accompany you. And, it doesn’t matter if it’s just a bum, bum , bum. It just gives you a cushion. And I so I just try to encourage people to accompany yourself. Another reason why I played guitar all the time, was just so whoever is in the audience they see 3 women on stage playing as opposed to a chick singer. I don’t know any other band like that. I mean look at the Dixie Chicks or the Indigo Girls. You name any of them, and , uh

Monica: That was going to be one of my questions, that I felt that you were one of the first women acts in blues. How did you get inspired for that?


Gaye: We didn’t set out to be that.

We set out to be just friends. Ann and I were together before the third person was added. We were two friends playing music and we got work. And, we happened to do a lot of songs by Bessie Smith. We happened to do a lot of songs from like the classic blues era of the 20’s. And then, I don’t know if Ann told you or not, she was teaching computer at a community college and one of her students couldn’t make the final exam. So Ann went to her house to give the exam because she had a piano for us to practice on. We’d been sneakin’ in at a local college to practice. So, after her student finished the test, that was Earlene, she came down in and joined in on bass. So Saffire was born. And we only had one personnel change, Andra replaced Earlene. So, it just happened.
You know…we didn’t set out to be three women playing music. And, at first it kind of worked against us - they looked at us as a kind of novelty act. They would say: “Oh it’s three women playing blues.” “Oh it’s three old women playing blues.” “Oh its three old culturally diverse- a black, a Jew and Earlene was part Cherokee-playing the blues.” And then it was like.. Oh they happen to play good music. So it took a while to get through all of the labeling, before we were just accepted musically. But, I think it also worked in our favor you know.

Monica: Tough huh, pretty tough?

Gaye: Well yeah. But not too tough I think that the most negative thing we get is probably from sound technicians. They figure we’re women and we don’t know.

Monica: Yeah. LOL

Gaye: Yeah. That’s the hardest. The most sexism we run into. I think early on the media, they always want something to write about, right? As well as your self. You know? So your looking..

Monica: Well I just like you and happen to want to talk to you!

Gaye: But, you’re looking for a different angle to write from, so it’s not the same old thing. So, of course, they write from the three women angle. Not from they play good music.

Monica: What I would like to write about is what you have in the future. You said you may or may not be doing blues. Would you like to tell us what you have in the works with your websites and things?

Gaye: Well I don’t know. If I do blues, I’ll either continue with Roddy… I love… He’s very easy to work with. And he gives you such a fat cushion. And some background vocals like Resa or 3 part harmony background. I like vocals and I might experiment with that a little more. OR, I would love to….if I have the where with all, I would love to work with an electric band. I have never put a band together by myself. Saffire’s different because we’re a democracy. Usually there’s a leader in the band and then a side person in the band. So I’ve never done that. And I know how much work it requires. And I don’t know if I’m up to what kind of work it takes. I don’t know. I’m tired. I am tired.

Monica: Are you?



Gaye: I broke up with my partner this year-18 years.

Monica: Oh my gosh.

Gaye: I had to put my Mom in a nursing home. I turned 65; got Medicare. That’s a slap in the face. Um. My Mom had to deal with Medicaid. It’s been a bad year and I am tired. I should be grateful cause I’m in between 2 albums you know. I got a solo album that got great revues. And Saffire’s CD got great revues, and we’ve been doing a great job. But, also, my career is in there. So, it’s been a hard year and I’m tired. And, it takes a lot of work to manage a band. Not so much to lead a band, but to manage a band… to work out travel arrangements is hard. To work out rehearsal schedule with everybody having different jobs is hard. So, I don’t know what I’m going to do on that front. I’ve been approached by several people. I’ve been approached about writing my autobiography. And, that would be interesting. I know my story would be interesting…giving the oppression…giving the abuse… giving the career changes and um, I’ve also been talking about doing a book of my songs and how I wrote each one. Where they come from.

Monica: Oh-I would love that!

Gaye: Yes, and yesterday I was called by the university in my home town. They need a multicultural program director.

Monica: Teaching? Maureen she was teacher of the year in Virginia.

Gaye: So I don’t know. They need that person now and I really don’t have that kind of time until November. But people are meeting with me and it would be real nice to have a fixed income for a while. As it is with us we never know from month to month if it is going to be a good month or if airfares are going to wipe out money. You just never know.

Monica: Yeah.

Gaye: I’m not sure. I think I need to take a couple of months and just go to an island. But, my mom is 96 and she is my heart and I’m an only child. My son is an only child and we got her spoiled rotten. (both of us LOL) So, if I go to the island I probably have to go for a week and come back home.

Monica: Yeah.

Gaye: She is a real blessing to me that she’s she’s still in good shape.

Monica: Well Good! Excellent.

Gaye: Part of my thing would be just to enjoy my mother.

Monica: OK. Well is there anything you would like me to put in the writing? Anything you want me to add?

Gaye: You can put in there that I am so proud that you are doing this!

Monica: Awe, thank you!


Gaye: And, you know whatever it takes to get to your passion, wether it is writing, photography, playing, teaching. If you love something, you have to go after it. I believe that music will save the world. I think that the arts will save the world. I think that it is a dire necessity. I think blues does more than anything to heal the broken heart. There is no pain greater in the whole wide world than a broken heart. You can chop off my leg before you break my heart. You know what I’m saying?

Monica: I do.



Here are some events that Gaye has plAnnd:

" MIZ A & THE FREEDOM BAND" - DEBUT PERFORMANCE - 9/12/09
Saturday night, September 12, will be the debut performance of "Miz A and the Freedom Band" at the Colonial Tavern in downtown Fredericksburg. Reservations are suggested. Call 540.373.1313. This is a "pay as you are able" event. We want everyone to hear this new sound. (A suggested donation is $10, but don't let money stop you from coming out.) The show will be two sets from 9 p.m. to 12.

The band consists of:

RODDY BARNES ~~ piano & backing vocals;
JEFF COVERT ~~ lead electric guitar
RESA GIBBS -- 2nd vocal & percussion;
JACKIE MERRITT ~~ electric bass & harmonica;
JUNO PITCHFORD ~~ drums (yes, that's my son); and of course,
GAYE ADEGBALOLA ~~ vocals & occasional acoustic & slide guitar.

This will be a new and interesting sound for Gaye -- one that's mainly electric. Thier main objective is to have fun -- for the listener and for the band! The first set will be songs from the "Gaye Without Shame" CD. The second set will be full of surprises. Let the good times roll!

• THE FREDERICKSBURG PRIDE FEST ~~

The Fest will take place in downtown Fredericksburg on Saturday, September 12 during the day. Gaye will be performing solo at the festival at 10:15 and 11:40 a.m. The performance site is at the intersection of Charlotte and Sophia Streets. That evening, "Miz A & the Freedom Band" will perform at the Colonial Tavern. The Fest celebration continues here!

• SAFFIRE'S FINAL CONCERT TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ~~

Saffire's final concert is on November 7, 2009. Tickets are now available by mail order only until September 30th. After September 30th, tickets will only be sold by retailers in the Fredericksburg, VA area. Ticket prices and seating details are located at http://www.uppityblueswomen.com/final_legacy_concert.html

If you are unable to attend the final show, check out our full schedule, visit http://www.adegbalola.com/schedule.html

You may also like to read about the other members of Saffire:

Ann Rabson
Andra Faye
Copyright © 2009 Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2009 Copyright Maureen Ceidro. All Rights Reserved.

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