Blues ‘enthusiast’ Morgan Freeman’s album covers 100 years of the genre
NEW YORK (AP) — It happened out of necessity. Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman was in Clarksdale, Mississippi, 25 years ago when some out-of-towners asked where they could hear blues music. Musicians were abundant; venues were not. “There…
It was a necessity that led Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman to establish a blues music venue in Clarksdale, Mississippi, 25 years ago. Musicians were plentiful but venues were scarce, so Freeman and his partners decided to create Ground Zero Blues Club. Now, they have expanded their efforts with "Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience," a touring ensemble that blends blues with classical compositions, accompanied by a new album bearing the same title.
Freeman, who serves as the producer and narrator for the album, is quick to clarify that he considers himself an enthusiast rather than an aficionado of the genre. The album features performances by renowned artists such as Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', Shemekia Copeland, and Tiernii Jackson, alongside the Chineke! Orchestra from London.
The ensemble aims to present a 100-year narrative of blues music, from its origins in the 1930s to contemporary times, in an album that runs approximately 45 minutes long, condensing a nearly two-hour live show.
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