The Classic Women’s Blues

Within popular culture, what we know as ‘The Blues’  is epitomized by either a solitary man playing an acoustic guitar, or a band playing the electric ‘Chicago Blues’, which is nearly always played by men. But this is only part of the story of ‘The Blues’. The other part of the story relates to the ‘Classic Blues’, which came to prominence in the 1920s. The first Blues recording stars, often appearing before huge audiences, were women. Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith are but two of the better known Blues Divas. With spoken word, video and live songs, Dave Merrick and Natalie Davis will tell the story of the development of ‘The Classic WOmen’s Blues’. They have been working together for over ten years and presented numerous spoken word, live music and multi media events to sold out audiences. They have been featured on radio on both sides of the Atlantic.