Betta Blues Society – International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA

They have played many times at the Barga Jazz Club, either singular or in other formations but today the band from Fermo/Pisa/Livorno – The Betta Blues Society are playing away from home … a long way away from home … to be precise in Memphis, Tennessee, USA – the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Elisabetta Maulo: voce, kazoo, ukulele | Lorenzo Marianelli: dobro, ukulele, cori | Fabrizio Balest: contrabbasso, cori | Pietro Borsò: percussioni

This evening they go on stage at the The Orpheum Theater as finalist in the International Blues Challenge 2018.

“Chi non ama il blues ha un buco nell’anima”

It is with excitement and delight that the National Women in Blues announces this year’s Women in Blues Showcase 2018. Thanks in part to the Blues Foundation and the International Blues Challenge (IBC), we will bring our 5th edition of our women’s showcase to an appreciative Blues audience in Memphis.

Our mission to support, edify, mentor and promote female blues artists is growing every year. We expect another packed house at Alfred’s. With this year’s opening artist and MC being none other than Rae Gordon, third place winner in the 2017 IBC Challenge. “Add equal parts of Janis Joplin’s pain, Aretha Franklin’s soul and Grace Slick’s power; mix them thoroughly, and add a big gob of gooey molasses and you have Rae Gordon’s voice” ~Positively Entertainment. Assisting her will be Blues woman Bridget Kelly Fik, and of course our Memphis anchor artist Redd Velvet, (featured in the Smithsonian Fall issue 2016 on African American Arts and Culture), honoring us with her first scheduled 2018 IBC appearance!

The list of showcase artists is amazing with women from around the world as well as top 3 finalists from last year’s IBC band division! Acts scheduled to appear include Kathy & the Kilowatts Duo, ‪Marija Gasparic‬ of ‪Two Blue‬, Mary Washington Brooks, Mary Ann Casale, Regina Bonelli, The Angelina Hunter Trio, Lola Gulley, Ruth Wyand, Val Starr, The Souliz Band featuring Sugar and Spice and 9th Avenue Noise fronted by Laine Ford. This year’s all woman house band is fronted by Director Pam Taylor on guitar, Angela Kozarich on drums, Heather Newman on bass and Lola Gulley on keyboards.

There may be a few more WiB’s stepping in to assist the house band. You just never know who will be spotted during the showcase. Even past MC’s and performers like Shaun Murphy, Barbara Blue, Queen Delphine and others do stop in to support their sisters in Blues!

Next up is Betta Blues Society from Italy with Erica Brown. Lorenzo Marianelli, Elisabetta Maulo, Fabrizio Balest, Pietro Borsó.

https://www.facebook.com/michelemidnight/videos/10156030882403064/

Interview with the band recorded at the Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis at Beale Street, Memphis, TN, United States.

Additional images from Davide Grandi