The Music Maker Blues RevueThe Music Maker Blues Revue is an all-star band and a thriving musical institution. It was born in the early 1990s as a backing band for Guitar Gabriel, and quickly became a power cell of Music Maker Foundation’s live presence. Featuring dozens of different Music Maker artists over the years—from Etta Baker and Macavine Hayes to Robert Lee Coleman and Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen—the Revue has played all over the world in every kind of venue. They’ve busked on the sidewalks of High Point, NC, and received standing ovations at Carnegie Hall. From Argentina to Australia, Europe to Guatemala, and across the U.S., the Revue pleases all types of fans; “the boogiers and the bookworms,” as drummer Ardie Dean puts it.
Aretta Woodruff: https://musicmaker.org/artist/aretta-woodruff/ Aretta has been singing and performing since the age of 7; beginning in her family church. She has opened and performed with several names such as Denise LaSalle, The Love Doctor, Jeffery Osborne, Floyd Taylor, the late Bobby Blue Bland, Bobby Rush and a host of others. Aretta has performed at several major festivals including Birmingham’s City Stages as well as concerts and charitable events. Some of her influences are Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle and Yolanda Adams. The silky and smooth sounds of Ms. Aretta have dazzled audiences all over the southeast U.S. for about 20 years. The song “Give Me Your Love” was the title of her 2007 CD. Aretta performs regularly with her own band, the Revue Band. In 2018 she was inducted into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame.
Sugar Harp (Charles J. Burroughs): https://musicmaker.org/artist/charles-sugar-harp-burroughs/ When Charles Burroughs was eight years old his great grandfather would simultaneously blow harp and strum a handmade guitar formed from an orange crate and broom sticks. Sitting on his lap, Charles said, “Grandaddy, I need to do that.” If you witness Charles’ “down in the gutter, back alley, storytelling blues” today, it is clear that he inherited his great grandfather’s creativity and musical talent. In the 65 years since he first picked up the harmonica, he has more than earned his moniker, Sugar Harp.
We are honored to be collaborating with the music maker foundation during this event.
Since 1994, Music Maker Foundation has served over 500 musicians whose work spans the entire history of American music: blues, folk, singer-songwriter, Appalachian string band, and Native American. Their primary focus is on musicians 55 years and older providing financial grants as well as an opportunity to work with some emerging musicians as collaboration for those who want to carry their traditions forward. Music Maker is unique organization focused on arts and human services.