The History of Blues in the Schools

The Chicago Blues Festival has always been programmed as an educational tool. Since the 60's the Blues has become a cross cultural experience and has provided a deeper understanding into American Society. The history of America is marred with the evils of the "Peculiar Institution" and what it means to overcome the evils of slavery. Thus, the festival celebrates the music that depicts freedom from slavery and the ability to express as Willie Dixon has said, "The Facts of Life." The blues festival annually provides a narrative to better understand the heritage of the blues tradition and helps celebrates the icons that made the music woven within the fabric of American culture. Although the festival's origin is in the year 1984 it was in 1988 the festival provided an opportunity to collaborate with the city of Chicago Public Schools initially Grant Academy under the direction of Ms. Kay Jones, now retired.

The program provided an opportunity for professional musicians to take up a residency in the school several weeks prior to the festival and give them the ability to teach the children blues songs, blues history and the ability to perform and write their own blues songs as well as prepare them to help open the festival with their performance. The first practitioners were Jimmy Tillman, Billy Branch, Erwin Helfer, and Katherine Davis. They continue to provide the students with a good understanding of the blues while the roster of practitioners has increased to include, Roy Hytower-the Rhute Doktor, Fernando Jones and the Blues Kids of America, as well as Eric Noden.

The range of music covered begins with the Delta Roots and the Classic Blues of the 20's and 30's to the more modern sounds of Willie Dixon and original compositions presented by the artists.

The program continues in the Stone Academy on the northside as well as the Reavis School on the Southside. The festival is always open to help develop programs in other schools as well as continuing work in helping create an inter disciplinary curriculum helping bring the arts, humanities, and sciences in a meaningful learning experience for all ages of students.