On Friday, Sept. 6, Sedona is turning Blue once again for the Sedona Red Rockin’ Blues Festival at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 7 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance and features some of the best blues artists in Arizona. The intimate Friday night concert features two premier blues solo artists: Leon J and Chuck Hall.
- Leon J
Starting the show from 7 to 8 p.m. is Jay Morton, aka Leon J, who was inducted into The National Heritage Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame in 2011, as Ambassador and performing artist. Leon has been acknowledged for his “Edutaining” shows keeping this unique art of acoustic-based roots blues/folk music inherited from the West African influence alive and well.
Traversing through Muddy Waters, Leon’s notable style influence flows from the Mississippi Delta.
Acknowledged as a music historian and exceptional presenter, Leon has a passion for rhythmic interpretation and the stories behind it, in all of his music.
His captivating live performances highlight his vocal and musical talent which has garnered a reputation for uncommonly entertaining audiences with his storytelling and musical styles true to the original formats of the early juke joints on the plantations, when featured artists would bring a variety of influence and style to each show.
Leon’s main focus is foot tapping, hand clapping “Simply Good Music” based in acoustic Delta Blues, rhythm & blues, country, country blues and Americana roots music, exhibiting an exceptional talent over a true variety of genre — uncommon in most artists today.
Leon J has performed at the Music Instrument Museum in Phoenix, the Phoenix Theater and the Telluride Blues Festival.
- Chuck Hall
Performing from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. is Chuck Hall. He was born in Louisiana and raised on the Texas side listening to the likes of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Freddie King and Albert King as well as many others. Since moving to the Valley in 1984, he has become a well-known and respected musician. As a 35-plus year veteran in the music business, Hall has played with some of the best, opening shows for Albert Collins, B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Albert King, Willie Dixon, Robert Cray, Gregg Allman, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and many others. He recently opened for Charlie Musselwhite and Robert Cray again. Hall has been a mainstay in the Phoenix music scene for over 30 years and after a two-year stint with Texas Red and the Heartbreakers, he formed Chuck Hall & The Brick Wall, which would firmly establish him as a musician, songwriter and showman. He has written over 100 songs and more than half of his playlist is original material.
His talent and uncompromising dedication to his craft have earned him accolades among fans and critics. He won “Best Blues Guitarist” in Arizona two years in a row and his song “Young Boy” was selected Best Song by Soundboard magazine. He also was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2000. His most recent offerings include a two-disc compilation CD and the “Live in Sweden” disc.
Founded in 2014, the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance’s mission is to promote, teach and advance blues music through networking with fans, musicians, entertainment venues, promoters, other music and civic organizations and the community-at-large throughout Sedona, the Verde Valley, Prescott and Flagstaff. Each year in October, NAZBA hosts the local International Blues Competition in Clarkdale where the band and solo/duo competition winners go on to compete in Memphis’ IBC, the premier Blues Foundation event. For the last 36 years, winners of the local band and solo/duo local competitions from 125 U.S. Blues Foundation affiliates and 20 countries descend upon Memphis to compete for the coveted IBC title.
The lineup features styles ranging from Americana and swamp blues, Chicago blues, jazz blues, R&B style blues and rock blues.
Sedona Red Rockin’ Blues Festival tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at sedonafilmfestival.org or at the Sedona Film Festival office or Mary D. Fisher Theatre box office. Call the film festival office at 282-1177 for further information.
