Part concert, part discussion, singer/songwriter Kirsten Thien, and musical producer Erik Boyd, perform select songs from some of the true pioneers of American music from 1920s and 30's. They'll also share some of their own original contemporary blues song and discuss how the early Blues women still inspire music today--almost 100 years later!
Link to Library Event Page

The true pioneers of American music were women!

Against a backdrop of oppression and segregation in the post-slavery era, musical artists like Ida Cox, Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Billie Holliday, and Bessie Smith thrilled crowds across America. Their unapologetically honest and sometimes bawdy and controversial lyrics inspired fearlessness and authenticity.

Join us for a live music program with Kirsten Thien and Erik Boyd as they perform select songs from these trailblazers' 1920s and '30s catalogs, demonstrating their original styles and describing their path to bringing the blues to life. As their blues caught on, their performances would transform over time both musically and culturally while retaining elements of these performers' original styles.

Kirsten and Erik will also share a few of their own original contemporary blues compositions.