2021 Virtual Blues Event
A BIT OF THE BARRIER BEACH BLUES FESTIVAL June 18 & 19, 2021 7:30 pm Zoom Link: Meeting ID: 880 1164 3549 Passcode: 317363 Friday, June 18 TOBY WALKER Internationally and nationally acclaimed Toby Walker has been hailed as an award-winning, roots music fingerstyle guitar virtuoso and songwriter who has toured the US, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Blending the styles of blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, old-time jazz, and rock, Walker has developed his own style and as such received numerous awards, including being the 1st place recipient of the International Blues Challenge Award in Memphis and the NY Music Award for best instrumental CD. Walker has also been inducted into the NY Blues Hall Of Fame. Toby’s passion for blues, rags, folk, and other traditional American music drove him to leave an apartment crammed full of recordings, books, and instruments for the Mississippi Delta, Virginia, and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. He learned directly from Eugene Powell, James "Son" Thomas, Etta Baker, and R.L Burnside, among others. Saturday, June 19 PIEDMONT BLUZ The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo (Valerie and Benedict Turner) are ambassadors of Country Blues music and the Piedmont style of fingerpicking, and their mission is to help preserve these rural, east coast traditions by educating audiences about this unique aspect of African American culture through musical entertainment. The husband and wife duo are much loved wherever they go. They feel that "there are stories to tell, people to remember, and things that must be said" so, in addition to tickling your ears with delightful music, they weave a bit of history into the presentation of each song. Inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame in 2018, these traditional bearers have been featured in numerous festivals including the Newport Folk Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Tel Aviv Blues Festival, Clearwater Revival, and Brooklyn Folk Festival to name a few. This evening’s performance will include references and music to celebrate JUNETEENTH.
