BLUES WOMEN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
featuring
Straight Ahead
Audrey Northington-vocals, Althea Rene- flute,
Eileen Orr-piano, Marion Hayden-bass, Gayelynn
McKinney- drums
PROGRAM
ACT I
Let the Good Times Roll..........…..Traditional
Steppin In......................……….…Z.Z. Hill
Gimme A Pigfoot.........................Bessie Smith
Afro
Reeves
Blue.....................................Dianne
Boogie Woogie Piano....................Hazel Scott
Respect/Dr Feelgood...................Aretha Franklin
Iko
Iko...............................……..Traditional
ACT II
Wang Dang Doodle............…….Koko Taylor
Sister Sadie....................………..Horace Silver
God Bless the Child...........……..Billie Holiday
On and On......................………..Erykah Badu
At Last...............................……...Etta James
Muddy Waters................………….Traditional
* Program subject to alterations, primary song stylists
or
composers noted. “After Hours”–by Erskine Hawkinsoptional slow blues for trio- very popular with African
American community, performed before Drink Muddy Water
STRAIGHT AHEAD
PRESENTS
“BLUES WOMEN OF THE 20TH CENTURY!”
Program Notes
With a wink, or a nod, or a shake of their hips,
the women of blues and Rhythm and Blues weave tales of
life, love, tenderness, heartache and hardship with
their song. Performers such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey,
Billie Holiday, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Hazel Scott
and Aretha Franklin brought a broader audience to blues
and Rhythm and Blues through their great expressiveness
and popularity.
Recently, new artists such as Erykah Badu and Jill
Scott have retained the soul of the blues while
expanding the tradition into the realm of hip-hop
music.
The early performers, known for experiencing some
extremely hard economic times during their careers
(Bessie Smith was buried in an unmarked grave until
vocalist Janis donated a head stone), were actually
pioneers of what developed into the multi-million
dollar Rock and Roll recording industry.
So, sit
back, and get ready
to shake, rattle and roll with the blues and Straight
Ahead!