11th Annual Blues and Jazz Festival

Janice Price

The Homemade Jamz Band

The Eleventh Annual Blues and Jazz festival is being organized by the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society for Saturday October 10th at Noon until 11pm at 200 West Fisher Street in the Salisbury Post Parking Lot. Bring your festival chairs and blankets and get ready to enjoy a few surprises from guest m.c. Ron"Big E" Eldridge. Last year's surprise was the talented Homemade Jamz Blues Band featuring Ryan, Kyle and 10 year-old Taya on drums. They are returning with their second CD and some new old-style blues. The Salisbury Swing Band,(co-sponsors of the festival) the Triad Youth Jazz Band and Joe Robinson will provide plenty great jazz.

Special guest jazz vocalist Janice Price will perform with the Joe Robinson Jazz Band. Price, who performed on a gospel tour of South Africa in 2007, has opened for such musicians as Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Ray Charles Natalie Cole and Dabe Brubeck.

Blazing Blues Bob and the Blues Providers will be available for some down-home blues. The Reggie Grantham Show performed by a Navy Reserve Band from Norfolk and led by Reginald Grantham an inspirational Radio Host, music producer, actor, navy reservist is a presentation honoring the veterans and armed forces. Reserved seating will be offered veterans attending the festival.

This year the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society is committed to making a contribution to Relay For Life from the festival ticket sales. Advance tickets will be on sale at the Visitors' Center on East Innes Street, Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee Street, Literary Bookpost, South Main Street and Tastebuds Coffee on North Main Street. Tickets ($15) are now on sale. Limited discounted tickets are still available online at www.bluesyandjazzy.eventbrite.com or go to www.rowanbluesandjazz.org. Please no coolers are allowed. For more information call 704-636-2811.

If you are interested in volunteering contact Eleanor Qadirah at rbjs@carolina.rr.com.