The Blues and Older Minority Musicians, Number XXXII

TL;DR

This paper explores the cultural impact of the Blues in Seattle, highlighting events that connect older musicians with the community through heritage and social justice.

Contribution

The paper introduces a unique event series that combines lectures, interviews, and performances to celebrate older Blues musicians and their cultural contributions.

Findings

Seattle's Blues events foster intergenerational cultural connections and community engagement.

The events include lectures, interviews, and performances by older Blues musicians, drawing enthusiastic crowds.

These activities highlight the resilience and productive aging of Blues musicians while promoting cultural heritage.

Abstract

The Blues may have emerged in the Mississippi Delta but its influence and music is mightily represented today in the Puget Sound! Seattle’s Blues Bash, Blues Awards, and the Rhapsody Project make intergenerational cultural connections between the Blues and the community by tuning into cultural heritage exploration and social justice. With a lively array of bars, clubs, and iconic Blues musicians with insights into their lives, influences, resilience, and productive aging, this popular session draws an enthusiastic crowd of GSA members for a lecture/interview and “mini-performance” with a leading older musician. But Wait! There’s more- later that evening, a full performance and party at a local Blues joint guarantees good music, dancing, libations, and Blues swag. This is a “don’t miss” combo with 31 years of GSA history.