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Remember those music competitions held last year by
the Illinois Central Blues Club? The club sponsored one for bands during
the Blues & BBQs downtown festival and a later one at the Alamo for
solo acts and duos. The winners represented our community at the Blues
Foundation’s 24th annual International Blues Challenge, in Memphis,
Tenn., during the first of February. Robert Sampson, a multitalented blues
singer and instrumentalist who captured the top solo/duo spot for the ICBC,
finished as one of six finalists at the Blues Challenge, which is quite an
accomplishment. Sampson, a Jacksonville resident, performs regularly
at area venues, including wildly popular showings at the Hill Prairie
Winery, near Oakford. His performances are enthusiastic, to say the least,
with spirited vocals and animated piano, guitar, and harmonica playing,
often punctuated with handsprings, uninhibited dancing, and other exciting
physical feats. It’s nearly impossible to avoid Sampson’s
invitation to join him in clapping, shouting, and singing, with the emotion
of the music moment pulling in all within listening distance. Making it to the finals at the Blues Challenge
represents the almost automatic opening of a door to blues bookings and
business. Many people can play music, but few ever make it to the point of
delivering consistent and worthwhile public performances at a professional
level. We will watch with anticipation as Sampson reaps the rewards of his
fortunate placing, and we send him hearty congratulations on a job well
done. On Sunday, Feb. 24, the ICBC sponsors a Blues in the
Schools program featuring Sampson as a special guest. The free show, 1-3
p.m., is hosted by the band Pleasure Chest at the Michael J. Howlett
Building auditorium (south side of the Capitol complex). Titled “The
History of the Blues,” it traces the genre from its rural Deep South
origins through the urban Northern movement to today’s universal
acceptance as an American art form. Please enter the building through the
rear/north doors. • When local singer/songwriter Ben Bedford went
on his Scandinavian tour last year, the lucky fellow met some wonderful
players. One of those musicians, Eva Hillered, pays a visit to Springfield
next week, with performances 9-10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Brewhaus;
noon-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at the Trout Lily Café; and 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 28, at All About Wine. During her 20-years-and-counting
career, Hillered has released several albums, some in her native tongue and
the latest in English, in her homeland of Sweden, garnering comparisons to
Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Emmylou Harris along the way. Hillered
returns to Sweden on Saturday, March 1; Bedford joins her there for another
visit in mid-March.
• Calling all performers: Music in Communities
and Education needs you! Any and all musicians and bands interested in
playing the Old Capitol Farmers’ Market in 2008 should send promo
materials to MICE at P.O. Box 9833, Springfield, IL 62791 or e-mail
information to Lisa@musicincommunitieseducation.org by Feb. 29.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2008.
