It was a fun filled night as Ben Franklin Middle School held its 6th annual Blues Project at the Valparaiso High School auditorium Saturday night.
Each year, students at Ben Franklin celebrate and learn about black history month through a great American art form, the blues. Students and other singers from around the region sang songs of the great Etta James, BB King, Muddy Waters, Field Holler, Blind Lemon Jefferson, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, WC Handy, Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Charlie Patton, Memphis Minnine, Leadbelly, Jimmy Reed, JB Lenoir, Big Bill Broonzy, RL Burnside and Yank Rachell.
“We knew this concert world be too much fun to keep all to ourselves, so we invited students, teachers, parents, professional musicians, politicians and anyone else we could find to help us “pitch a wang dang doodle,” the show’s producer, Scott Cvelbar, said.
Many students presented reports on different artists that students wrote as part of their social studies classes before one of those artist’s songs were performed on the stage.
“The Blues Project is music and cultural education at its best. When talented students and teachers team up, great things happen,” said Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas in a program note.
June “Lady Luck” Saavedra led the crowd as the Mistress of Ceremonies and the house band performed alongside most of the acts. The house band consisted of:
- Zach “High Roller” Hall on Guitar
- Scott “Snake Eyes” Cvelbar on Guitar/Vocals
- Gabe “Slow Cooker” Saavedra on Bass
-
Billy “Blue Note” Romer on Drums•
- Greg “51 Card” Kenworthy on Harp/Guitar/Vocals
- Carolyn “Rollin’ Blind” Rodea on Piano
- Nelson “Wild Card” Keaton on Harp
The event is expected to continue next year, but as always, the Blues Project is self funded and are always looking to build its audience so make sure to come out next year for the Ben Franklin Middle School 7th annual Blues Project.
Check out more photos from the night here!