Got the blues / produced by Avotcja Jiltonilro y Fasanmi

“Got the Blues” is the story of rape, robbery and big big business. “Got the Blues” is also a story of love, artistic dedication, and spiritual strength above and beyond the call of duty. “Got the Blues” is a many-sided story told by the musicians that make the blues, the record companies that record the blues, the radio stations that do or don’t play the blues, and the people who promote the blues…produced by Avotcja Jiltonilro y Fasanmi. This program was made possible by a grant from the California Arts Council. Program includes the words and music of J.C. Burris (speaking, harmonica, rhythm), Sonny Rhodes (b. 1940, guitar and voice), Omar Hakim Kayam (aka Omar Sharriff and Dave Alexander, piano), and the words of Don Moye (b. 1946, drummer, Art Ensemble of Chicago), Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981, pianist and composer), Reginal Lockett (poet, teacher, KPFA folio editor), Avotcja (musicican, poet, blues dj, historian), Tom Mozzolini (promoter, Blues dj, writer), Big Mama Thornton, known as “The Queen of the Blues” (1926-1984, voice, harmonica and drums), J.J. Jones (1927-2004, guitarist and voice), Johnnie B. Goode (guitarist and voice), Jordana Jiltonilro (aspiring singer), Chris Strachwitz (b. 1931, Arhoolie Records), Eli Thornton (owner Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland, CA), and Otis Evans (Blues dj, KPOO engineer), Martha Olman[sp?] and Laurie Garrett. These musicians, djs, etc. talk about their music, blues music promoters, radio stations, and record companies.