WMNF Bluesy Birthday: Shemekia Copeland; Stooges Brass Band; Billy Seward and Soulfonic

Friday Sep 14 7:00PM Add to Calendar
Skipper's Smokehouse [map]

We have stopped selling tickets on the WMNF website. There will be plenty of tickets at the door. Three terrific bands to celebrate WMNF's 33rd birthday!

Shemekia Copleand

At a young age, Shemekia Copeland is already a force to be reckoned with in the blues. While only in her early 30’s, she’s opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival and numerous festivals around the world, scored critics choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic (The New York Times and The Times of London), shared the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, and Eric Clapton, and has even performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Heir to the rich tradition of soul-drenched divas like Ruth Brown, Etta James and Koko Taylor, the singer was presented with Taylor’s crown on June 12, 2011 at the Chicago Blues Festival and officially given the honor as the new “Queen of the Blues” by Taylor’s daughter, Cookie.

Copeland’s passion for singing, matched with her huge, blast-furnace voice, gives her music a timeless power and a heart-pounding urgency. Her music comes from deep within her soul and from the streets where she grew up, surrounded by the everyday sounds of the city – street performers, gospel singers, blasting radios, bands in local parks and so much more.

Copeland has just finished recording a brilliant new album, 33 1/3, produced by Oliver Wood and set for release September 25, 2012 on Telarc.

The Stooges Brass Band

The Stooges Brass Band has been one of the elite brass bands in New Orleans but only recently are receiving the accolades and well deserved recognition of their importance to the music scene of New Orleans. Since 1996, their high energy show on the stage and in the streets has engaged audiences with their innovative blend of traditional New Orleans brass sounds and contemporary hip-hop beats. The Stooges Brass Band has gained notoriety across the USA and the world as a full-blown musical party whether leading a second-line parade or performing their spirited stage show.

The Stooges Brass Band are undeniably one of the hardest working bands out of New Orleans and their dedication to their craft has made an impact. In the inaugural Red Bull Street Kings competition, The Stooges Brass Band victoriously battled in the finals for the title of Red Bull Street Kings under the iconic Claiborne Bridge in NOLA. Along with this auspicious title, The Stooges Brass Band won an all-expense paid trip for a recording and mentorship session with a producer in the Red Bull Studios in California. In April 2011, the Stooges Brass Band were awarded the title of "Best Contemporary Brass Band" at the Big Easy Music Awards. Whether they're second-lining in the back streets of the Crescent City, or performing in clubs across the country, the Stooges Brass Band immerse crowds in a high-energy, cut loose vibe that's contemporary yet deeply rooted in the culturally rich musical legacy of city of New Orleans.

Billy Seward and Soulfonic

Billy Seward and Soulfonic bring a mix of blues, soul and horn-driven R&B. He’s played and recorded with some of the legends—Earl Thomas, Johnny Viau, Kim Wilson, William Clark, Sweet Betty, Ron Gains, Candye Kane, and the list goes on.