Little Freddie King's album re-released, MMRF heads to Jazzfest!

Music Maker heads to Jazzfest! Music Maker is headed to Jazzfest! Artists and staff leave this week to prepare for some awesome shows! Big Ron and Ardie Dean will be down at Jazzfest backing up Ironing Board Sam for his long-awaited return to the festival. Who knows what tricks Sam has up his sleeve this year - last time he was at Jazzfest, in 1980, he performed underwater! Don't miss MM artists at their shows: 4/27 Leyla McCalla, Lagniappe Stage 2:20-3:20pm 4/27 Guitar Lightnin' Lee, Lagniappe Stage 5:15-6:25pm 4/28 Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-do Stage 4:20-5:35pm 4/29 Ironing Board Sam, Blues Tent 1:50-2:45pm 5/4 Little Freddie King, Blues Tent 5:45-7:00pm Photo of the week Two of MMRF's spring interns: Christy Ray and Matt by Aaron Greenhood The 78 Project benefits MMRF Don't miss out on tickets for The 78 Project at City Winery in New York City on May 20! The event benefits MMRF with a Benefit Auction, and there will also be a live music revue featuring Dawn Landes, The Reverend John Delore & Kara Suzanne, Vandaveer and more special guests. Tickets range from $25 to $65, and you can purchase them here! To read more about the 78 Project, check out their website! We thank the 78 Project for supporting our mission! Quick Links: Website Merch Music MMRF Advisory Board member Levon Helm will be missed Levon Helm, a Music Maker Advisory Board member and supporter, passed away last week at the age of 71. He will be missed by all of us, but his contributions to music will live on, and we will remember him fondly. Click here to read Music Maker Founder Tim Duffy's account of first meeting Helm. We will always be thankful for all he did for our mission, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Listen: Little Freddie King - Mardi Gras Stomp Diggin: Little Freddie King album re-released A true innovator, Little Freddie King is recognized as one of the first musicians to bring the electric blues to New Orleans. His landmark 12-track album At Home in the New Orleans Musician's Village celebrates Little Freddie's return to the blues, as it was his first completed recording since 1970. Featuring what King calls 'gut bucket blues,' the record is an important step toward preserving his unique style for future generations. Music Maker is re-releasing this album with new artwork - and we're hoping you'll enjoy this track! Check out the song above and click here to check out the whole album. --Corinne NC Youth Tap Ensemble performs at the Carolina Theater! Love dance? Enjoy rhythm? Then go see the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) in "Gotta Dance" at Durham's Carolina Theater this Saturday, April 28th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 29th at 2 p.m! Music Maker musicians and NCYTE performed together in the fabulous "Tap the Blues" in November. This show promises to be just as good. "Gotta Dance" features the company members, ages 8 to 18, performing cutting-edge contemporary choreography along with traditional rhythm tap, accompanied by live music. Special guest performers: NCYTE alumna and Bessie Award winner Michelle Dorrance and Austin-based Travis Knights. Tickets -- $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students -- are available online at www.carolinatheatre.org. For more info, call 919-260-7585.

Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 4/27 - Cool John Ferguson, Captain Luke, and Shelton Powe - Havelock Blues Festival, N.C. 4/27 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins' Birthday Bash - Northside Tavern, Atlanta 4/27 - Guitar Lightnin' Lee, Leyla McCalla - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/27 - John Dee Holeman - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro N.C. 4/28 - Carolina Chocolate Drops - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/29 - Ironing Board Sam - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 5/11 - Music Maker Blues Revue - Back Porch Music, Durham, N.C. 5/11 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, N.C. Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. We present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations.