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RICHMOND, Ind. — Featuring blues
musicians David Evans on guitar and vocals and Joe Filisko
on harmonica, “Country
Blues and Gennett Records” mixes education with entertainment
at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 1, in Goddard Auditorium
in Carpenter Hall at Earlham College.
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David Evans |
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Joe Filisko |
The first half of the program details the importance
of Gennett Records in the development of the country
blues, and the second half features Evans and Filisko
in concert. The performance is presented by The Starr-Gennett Foundation and
Earlham College. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available
at Starr-Gennett Foundation’s office and at Earlham College’s Runyan
Center desk.
Richmond’s historic Starr Piano Company recorded,
pressed, and distributed some of the best early blues, jazz, old-time
country, and gospel records in the
United States during the 1920s and 30s on the Gennett Records label. Blues luminaries
like Charley Patton, Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Jaybird Coleman, Scrapper
Blackwell (from Indianapolis), Blind Lemon Jefferson, Georgia Tom, and Cryin’ Sam
Collins all graced the Gennett Studios during the 1920s and 30s.
“Gennett’s blues legacy is truly remarkable,” explains Elizabeth
Surles, Project Coordinator for the Starr-Gennett Foundation. “A number
of blues pioneers recorded in Richmond, and this important body of recordings,
while appreciated by a select group of blues historians, is largely unknown by
the general public. Many people know that the father of jazz, Louis Armstrong,
recorded for Gennett, but not so many people know that the grandfather of the
blues, Charley Patton, also recorded in Richmond. Country Blues and Gennett Records
will highlight this important legacy.”
Evans has been performing traditional country, or “delta,” blues
since 1962. Although mostly known as a blues scholar, Evans’ skills as
a vocalist and guitarist are astounding, having learned directly from many
of the old-time blues musicians who were still performing during the 1960s.
A Harvard
University graduate, Evans is also author of Tommy Johnson and Big
Road Blues and has been featured on the nationally syndicated radio program Beale
Street Caravan. Evans offers “pure, unadulterated country blues in perfection,” according
to Blues News in a review of Evans’ recent release Match
Box Blues.
Filisko is a seminal figure in the world of diatonic
harmonica playing. Filisko’s
craftsmanship, musicianship, and knowledge of the instrument and its history
are acknowledged worldwide, and in 2001, he was named “Harmonica Player
of the Year.” In to playing throughout the Chicago area, Filisko manufactures
custom harmonicas, and currently teaches at Chicago’s Old Town School
of Folk Music.
“Country Blues and Gennett Records” is provided
with support from the Starr-Gennett Foundation, Earlham College, the
Vectren Corporation, Arts Place, Inc., the Indiana
Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts,
a federal agency.
*ΚΚΚΚ *ΚΚΚΚ *
Contact:
Beth
Surles,
Starr-Gennett Foundation project coordinator
765/962-1575
Lynn
Knight, events coordinator
765/983-1373
Denise
Purcell,
public affairs assistant
765/983-1323
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