Samara Joy’s recent concert at the Philharmonie de Paris showcased her remarkable talent as she promoted her “Portrait” album. At just twenty-five, she evokes legends like Ella Fitzgerald with impressive vocal range and technique. The two-hour performance, featuring both classic and contemporary styles, promises a captivating future album release.
The 14th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival in Newark runs from November 8 to 23, 2025, featuring a diverse lineup that includes jazz icons, hip-hop legends, and poets. This year’s focus is on jazz as a catalyst for social justice, with performances highlighting community, accessibility, and artistic collaboration throughout the city.
The Toy Factory Project made its debut at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, presenting a blend of southern rock and bluegrass. Led by drummer Paul T. Riddle, the ensemble honored the legacy of Toy Caldwell, featuring renowned musicians. The concert captivated a crowd of 12,000 while reviving classic songs with a fresh take.
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]
“Making a Scene” announces the 2024 Independent Blues Awards winners, celebrating exemplary and nominated indie blues artists. The event had record voting participation. It emphasizes supporting all nominees by encouraging listeners to explore and promote their music. The awards also highlight the importance of supporting live and touring blues artists.
Kaia Kater Strange Medicine Free Dirt There’s been a buzz on social media lately led by Rhiannon Giddens about the importance of the ‘Black banjo.’ In that sense banjoist Kaia Kater’s Strange Medicine is certainly timely. Beyond that it shows the immense possibilities of the instrument beyond conventional ‘Americana’ or hybrid bluegrass or blues. Consider […]
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]
Making a Scene brings you a preview of No Words Atlanta – an Instrumental Music Festival! Atlanta has the Only Instrumental Music Festival Anywhere! Music without words connects directly with the listener, creating a powerful experience. No Words Music was an light-bulb idea that occurred to life-long instrumental guitarist, Ann Wood (PerkinsWood) while attending […]
Making a Scene Brings you a Review from Gerry Casey of Hillbilly Vegas LIVE at the Troubadour London Ever since Lynyrd Skynyrd came on the music scene in the early seventies they created the fusion of rock and country to bring the world Southern Rock. Things would never be the same . There is something […]
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]
Dom Martin & The Savages Live At The Harlington Those of us who love music are always searching for that moment when the music we hear, just stops you in its tracks. It’s the kind of moment is embedded in you memory forevermore. That moment happened for me in early 2019 when I heard Dom Martin perform for the first […]
You can always count on Mike Holly And the city of Norcross Put on A great show And Saturday they did it again. The 10th anniversary BLUESBERRY Festival Where’s wonderful The weather threatened rain but that never happened. It was comfortably cool All day Every group Got to perform with only slight technical problems that […]
Muddy Waters Home Granted Landmark Status – To Become a Museum Dedicated to the Father of Chicago Blues! The North Kenwood home where blues legend Muddy Waters once lived is planned to be converted into The MOJO Muddy Waters House Museum has been granted a final landmark status by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. This […]
Kerrville Folk Festival Announces Lineup for 49th Year – October 1st-11th The Kerrville Folk Festival has announced their lineup for their 49th year. Highlights of this year’s festival include, James McMurtry, Shinyribs, Trout Fishing in America, Jaimee Harris, Kyshona, Mobley, Heartless Bastards, the winners of the world famous New Folk competition from both 2020 and […]
Blues fans from all over the world tuned into our virtual broadcast of the 42nd Blues Music Awards.Congratulations to all winners and nominees! B.B. King Entertainer Shemekia CopelandBand of the Year Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Best Emerging Artist Album Harlem King Solomon Hicks Blues Rock Album Mike Zito and Friends – Rock ‘n’ Roll: […]
Making a Scene Presents a primer for the PPP and PUA Programs for the Indie Artists A lot musicians have not taken advantage of some of the options available to them when it comes to using the CARES act to get the financial help they need. Most of that comes down to not understanding what […]
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]
photo by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Niki Hill – Stone Mountain Georgia Mardi Gras Parade It was the inaugural year of the Stone Mountain Mardi Gras Parade and Festival. The parade was short but very enjoyable, with lots of little dancers, people on all sorts of transportation, and lots of baubles and beads! and lot of […]
Villiers And The Villains In Whelan’s Dublin Ireland 5th of February 2020 I’ve been looking forward to this evening for quite a while now. Ever since my friend Barry Cassidy said “Gerry you’ve got to see this band Villiers And The Villains they are fantastic”. That comment stayed with me. Roll forward to the present, […]
Last Sunday, my husband and I went to Blind Willie’s, a well-loved blues club in Virginia Highlands, to celebrate a momentous occasion: the city of Atlanta is now smoke-free! Yes, thanks to the efforts of the Smoke-Free Atlanta Organization with the enthusiastic support of the Atlanta Blues Society, music lovers can now go to any […]
The 2019 Bradenton Blues Festival – December 7th, 2019 Text and photos by Richard Ludmerer (Kenny Neal photos courtesy of Laura Carbone) The Bradenton Blues Festival is an annual festival now in its eighth year. It is brought to us by Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit organization that brings people together to create a vibrant downtown […]
By Adam Signore Eliza Neals at 9 Wallis Eliza graced the north shore of MA recently and I had the honor of being there, a crazy trip getting there. Last year I had the opportunity to see Eliza Neals at the world renowned Chan’s in Woonsocket RI, a mere 15 minutes from my house. The […]
Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, and it’s a good time to be thankful for the Atlanta area blues scene and be thankful for the wonderful local blues singers and venues we have, all of those who work hard to provide entertainment for us. Show that thanks by going out and supporting live music this weekend! Check […]
It was a lovely day in Blue Ridge, Georgia on Saturday, well worth the time it took to get there from Kennesaw (about an hour and a half.) My husband and I got in a little early and had time to explore the town a bit before going to the Blue Ridge Community Theater to […]
It’s a good weekend for the blues around Atlanta! Along with our usual flock of great musicians, we have Jon Nemeth in town. And if you feel like taking a slightly further trip, about an hour and a half up to Blue Ridge like we are going to do, the wonderful Tullie Bae is playing […]
Last month we went through a dry spell when we had no music events we could attend all month long. Then suddenly we had three in eight days! So, of course, that is when my computer decided to go crazy. It still is but I’m going to use my phone to write one long article […]
It’s a festive weekend as we have several Halloween events, including a mall parade! Also, we get to welcome Little G Weevil back home for a visit after his long trip away! Welcome back, Gee! Go out to any of these great shows and get in the holiday spirit! Friday Sandra Hall & The Shadows […]
It’s cooling down outside but the blues are heatin’ up all around Atlanta! Some of our favorite visitors are back in town: Anders Osborne, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, andTrombone Shorty, for example. Charlie Wooten and Zydefunk are performing too and if that doesn’t sound like a party I don’t know why! Check out […]
Making a Scene Presents the LIVE Music Survey We have a new reality in the music industry today. The new music consumer no longer looks at music as a commodity to purchase, but more as something they have unlimited access to. This has affected the whole industry but nowhere is it more evident then with […]
So much is going on this weekend with both traveling acts and local performers, the clubs ready to hang on to their roofs, and several benefits offering great causes and great music! Check it all out and make your choices! Friday Chris O’Leary is at Blind Willie’s and Northside Tavern has Stoney Brooks. T.N.T. is […]
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]
There is a lot of great music going on in Atlanta this weekend and you will be able to find something to suit your taste wherever you decide to go, so get out and enjoy some great music and support your local venues and your favorite artists! We will be up in the mountains at […]
There’s so much happening in the blues in and Around Atlanta this weekend! The Nick Moss Band performs, and Shemekia Copeland is in town! That’s exciting, but there is a lot more going on, too! Check the events below and decide what you want to do and go out and have fun! Support live music! […]
The Results are in for the Making a Scene 2019 Independent Blues Awards! We at Making A Scene are excited because this year we had a fantastic diverse selection of nominees. Now, of course we have to do things a little different than any of the other “Awards” out there. We want to celebrate not […]
It’s a busy blues weekend in and Atlanta and you have lots of stuff to choose from. Don’t overlook the Memorial for Luther “Houserocker” Johnson, one of Atlanta’s great elders we lost recently, at his musical home, Blind Willie’s. Also, The Kentucky Headhunters are playing in Canton! Take your pick below and go out and […]
Sunday our friend David had a birthday celebration at a new club in Woodstock called Connect Live, and we went along to check it out. Connect Live is not much to look at from the outside, looking like many Atlanta area industrial buildings, but from the inside it is awesome! The space is divided into […]
What a lot of blues fun this week! Aside from the local bands, we have two touring groups this week. Tedeschi Trucks Band appears with Blackberry Smoke and Shovels & Rope at the Fabulous Fox and Boogie Woogie Blessing with Rev. Billy C. Wirtz happens at Blind Willie’s. In addition, there’s plenty of great blues […]
It’s a weekend full of blues! Check below and see what is going on!! Come out and enjoy all the Atlanta area has to offer, including the Atlanta Blues Society meeting on Sunday! If you are not a member the meetings are a great time to join! But whatever you do, it’s fun to get […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Photos: Takesi Ken Akamatsu Walking through the door at Waller’s Coffee Shop, a wonderful smell tickled our noses. For a coffee lover, it is one step closer to nirvana. And the taste lives up to the smell, at least for the caramel mocha latte! Looking around, we noticed the homey wood walls […]
It’s the 4th of July weekend! Let freedom ring! And go out and listen to some blues! Here are the places to choose from this weekend: Friday Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials are at Blind Willie’s. Skye Paige comes to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Northside Tavern has Swami and Dave from 6-8 pm, […]
This weekend has blues in every direction! Come out and enjoy all the Atlanta area has to offer wherever you are. in the metro area! Friday Sandra Hall & the Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Northside Tavern has Nathan Nelson from 6-9, followed by Zydefunk Dani Mac & Co are at Fat Matt’s Rib […]
by Rhetta Akamatsu Yesterday, June 23. was the monthly Atlanta Blues Society meeting and Jam. This month it was at MadLife in Woodstock. We packed the room, but what a stage! The sound system and lights were also impressive. Red Sugar Blues was the host group. We don’t stint on the musical part of the […]
Wow! This weekend is bursting with blues! They are all over the place, and I even included a show in Peachtree City, a little further than usual, just because of the spectacular lineup! Check below and see what wonderful show is in your area!! Come out and enjoy all the Atlanta area has to offer! […]
By Adam Signore Let’s talk about Tal Wilkenfeld. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Tal Wilkenfeld at City Winery Boston the other night and you know how you go into a show with expectations? Well I expected quite a lot and yet my mind was still totally blown! Tal never ceases to amaze. Some […]
By Adam Signore Ladies’ & Gentlemen, Amanda Fish I was honored to get to see Amanda perform recently and also receive a copy of her new CD. Going to run you through a little history for the uninitiated, show review and talk about the new CD. Amanda Fish, Making A Scene Amanda Fish comes from […]
Saturday in Norcross GA, one of our favorite festivals took place. The Bluesberry and Beer Festival completed its 9th year in tremendous style. Some of the best blues musicians in the Atlanta area entertained a large and happy crowd. First up was Frankie Lee’s Blues Mission. It was Frankie Lee’s 61st birthday, and we all […]
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!! Check below and see what’s happening and come out and enjoy all the Atlanta area has to offer, including Bluesberry and Beer on Saturday, one of our favorite festivals. Friday George Hughley & the Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Northside Tavern has Stoney Brooks Swap […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Sunday, June 9, was a super day at Blind Willie’s The Atlanta Blues Society presented a celebration of women in blues, featuring some of the best vocalists and instrumentalists who just happen to be female and live in Georgia! The show was put together by Diane Durrett, a fabulous blues musician herself. […]
It’s a weekend full of blues! There are a plethora of talented local blues artists all over Metro, so take your pick! Check it out! Friday Sandra Hall & the Shadows are at Blind Willie’s and Northside Tavern has Nathan Nelson from 6-9, followed by The Rib Shack Lady. The Rockin’ Blues Review is at […]