Bman's Blues Report

  Alligator Records has set a June 10, 2016 release date for the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection . The 2CDs-for-the-price-of-one set -- boasting over 148 minutes of music -- features career-defining performances from blues royalty past, present and future. The blues and roots music Alligator Records has been releasing since 1971 -- created by iconic giants of the genre like Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop and Mavis Staples, and label-nurtured legends including Son Seals, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women and Michael “Iron Man” Burks -- has more than stood the test of time. With the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection , label founder and president Bruce Iglauer, along with his 15-person staff (many of whom have been on board for well over 20 years) celebrate Alligator’s extraordinary past, history-in-the-making present, and a fut...

NATIONAL PRESS AND RADIO TAKING NOTE OF RISING BLUES STAR   Clinton, Mississippi-based blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jarekus Singleton 's Alligator Records CD, Refuse To Los e , debuted at #7 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #99 on the imprint's New Artist Chart. The full album, which was released on May 6, premiered at USA Today along with an interview, on April 29. The first single, I Refuse To Lose , was selected as the Gotta Hear Song Of The Week by Philadelphia's powerhouse radio station, WXPN. The station also added the song to its regular rotation. Feature stories have already run in DownBeat , Living Blues , and Blues Music Magazine. The Washington Post 's Sunday Style section will feature Singleton (and labelmate and fellow young guitar slinger Selwyn Birchwood ) in a story on the next generation of blues players. Later this summer Singleton will appear on NPR's World Cafe , SiriusXM's Bluesville (live ...

Blues guitarist Jarekus Singleton will blow you away with his alternating soulful and blazing guitar licks. He and his two cousins, Chancellor Cain on keyboard and Ben Sterling on bass have been playing Gospel together for years in their grandfather’s Jarekus Singletonchurch in Jackson, Mississippi. Adding Frank White on drums, the band is tight and plays like seasoned blues musicians steeped in Mississippi Blues. The surprise in hearing them comes when you realize they are all under the age of 30! Andre Russell, the senior member of the group and background vocalist, rounds out the high energy blues show that makes people get on their feet and dance. Jarekus has acquired an ardent fan base made up of old and young fans alike who follow him and rave about his awesome guitar talent and unique style. Jarekus and his band perform regularly around the Central Mississippi area. He performed at the Chicago Blues Festival in 2009, 2010, & 2011. He and his band competed in the 2010 Int...