<Return to The Blues Home Page

"The Blues" Radio Series Premieres On 90.3 WCPN,
Monday, September 22
Most comprehensive blues music series ever, to be broadcast through Thursday, September 25

Premiering September 22 on 90.3 WCPN ideastream, this 13-part series from Public Radio International will be the most comprehensive blues-based radio series ever.

Hosted by Grammy-Award winning blues artist Keb' Mo', each 60-minute episode will explore a geographical location of importance to the blues, together revealing the history of the blues from its origins to the present, as well as its ongoing legacy as the foundation of American popular music.

Interviews with blues artists, historians, and record producers will complement historic blues recordings, while contemporary performances of classic blues songs from current artists will serve notice that the blues is alive and well in 2003.

Produced by Experience Music Project and Ben Manilla Productions, and presented by WGBH Radio Boston, this radio series will support The Blues television series and is compatible with The Blues educational components.

“The Blues” Landmark Television Film Series Premieres Sunday September 28, 9pm On WVIZ/PBS
ideastream Local Productions Complement National Programming

Under the guiding hand of executive producer Martin Scorsese, THE BLUES is a seven-part television series of personal and impressionistic films by seven world-famous directors who share a passion for the music. The films, by Scorsese, Wim Wenders, Richard Pearce, Charles Burnett, Marc Levin, Mike Figgis and Clint Eastwood, capture the essence of blues music and delve into its global influence — from its roots in Africa to its inspirational role in today’s music.

The series does not attempt to present a complete history of the blues through definitive films, but rather each director’s personal interpretations. History, politics, economics, race, migration and religion all shaped blues music. Its universal themes — loss, work family, love, hardship — and shared experiences are easily embraced. Martin Scorsese introduces each of the seven episodes.

THE BLUES will be broadcast on WVIZ/PBS ideastream, Sunday-Saturday, September 28-October 4, at 9pm with rebroadcasts at 11:30pm each evening.

Keb’ Mo’, Lou Reed, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Ray Charles are all names synonymous with the blues. They, and many other legendary blues performers, will be featured in a new upcoming PBS series, THE BLUES.

PLUS!
ideastream local productions, complementing "THE BLUES" national multimedia series

JAZZ FROM THE NORTH COAST
Live From The Cleveland Bop Stop: Monday, September 29, 9pm
Dan Polletta takes his popular 90.3 WCPN program on the road for this live, on-location broadcast from the new Cleveland Bop Stop. Featured performances include The Bop Stop Jazz Unit (13 piece big band) directed by Jack Schantz. The broadcast also features interviews with Bop Stop Vibraphonist/Program Director/Founder Ron Busch; leader/trumpeter Jack Schantz; and bassist/composer Dave Morgan.

APPLAUSE
Downtown Cleveland Blues: Thursday, October 2, 7:30pm
In conjunction with THE BLUES series, the premiere episode of the new APPLAUSE season, the locally- produced, Emmy Award-winning, weekly arts and culture series dedicates an entire show to the blues. Host Dee Perry and crew go on location to a downtown Cleveland blues hotspot Wilbert’s for live performances and interviews with local blues performers. The show features rare interview and performance footage of Robert Lockwood Jr., the Cleveland blues veteran who recently received his accolades from the legendary B.B. King. (King also appears on Applause).

AROUND NOON
Live remote broadcast from Night Town: Tuesday, October 7, 12 noon
AROUND NOON host Dee Perry will broadcast a live lunchtime concert featuring Brian Auger. Auger is a renowned jazz rock organist who rose to prominence in the 60s and 70s. Auger was the front man for the Brian Auger Trio, and later, the Brian Auger Trinity and the Brian Auger Oblivion Express. This special, programmed in conjunction with THE BLUES multimedia series is being hosted by Night Town at 12387 Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights: a Cleveland restaurant and night spot known for its jazz and progressive music programming.