ABS logo smallAustin Blues Events

View the ABS Yahoo Calendar send blues event or gig info to calendar@austinbluessociety.org
Check out our list of Weekly Blues Jams in and around Austin.



Music Under the StarFriday, July 10th, 6 - 9 PM

Music Under the Star

ABS is pleased to announce our participation in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum's summer music series. It promises to be an evening of great Blues music, activities for the whole family and even free food!

Music Under the Star kicks off its sixth season of FREE evening concerts, exhibits, and family fun at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Friday, July 10th, from 6 - 9 PM.

Mr Berntson

5 - 6 PM
The Big Blues You Can Use Workshop® will get kids jamming when they receive a FREE Hohner harmonica and instruction booklet (while supplies last). National award-winning music educator David Berntson will lead kids on a songwriting journey that will have them blowing their harps like a pro. This program is generously supported by the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association.

6 - 8 PM
Austin Blues Society Harmonica Blow-Out featuring a who's who of Austin's finest blues harp players. Walter T. Higgs, Paul Orta, Jimi Lee, and Ted Roddy will be trading licks onstage with a stellar back-up band guaranteed to blow the house down.

 

8 - 9 PM
Austin Blues Society presents a concert by Miss Lavell White and her band, they will perform a soulful set of funky blues. Miss Lavelle is a true Blues Diva, having performed and recorded for over 40 years, and being nominated 4 times for the W.C. Handy awards during her career.  

HohnorEnjoy the program with FREE Rudy's Bar-B-Q®  / Mighty Fine Burgers, Shakes & Fries™ and Blue Bell ice cream (while supplies last).

Walter HiggsWalter T. Higgs – From the Port Arther, Tx area, Walter’s been playing in Central Texas since the mid-eighties.  His CD release from DocBlues Records features Walter’s exceptional blues harp and vocals backed by the top shelf of Austin’s blues who’s who.   An experienced performer committed to the blues, Higgs hosted one of Austin’s longest running blues jams.    Walter has participated in the early Austin Blues Society “Blues In The Schools” programs. Paul Orta

 

Paul Orta also came to Austin from Port Arthur TX, back in 1979.  He joined the Antone’s school of blues music and has been playing harp with some of the greats in blues music ever since.  He has achieved quite a level of success in Europe, consistently touring clubs and festivals for over twenty years.  Paul has made a home in Paris, France as well as in Austin and Port Arthur.  He was invited to be a Hohner harmonica endorser in 1994, and also invited to help design a harmonica amplifier by Kendricks, Amps of Austin, Tx.   Veteran of many record and CD releases of his own, he has also produced projects for Dial Tone Records of Austin.  Paul has participated in several Port Arthur “Blues In The Schools” programs.

Jimi Lee

Jimi Lee came to Austin after a 12 year stint of getting his act together in Hawaii.  Jimi is a master of the harmonica, and especially excels at playing rack-mounted harp while accompanying himself on guitar and vocals.  He was chosen to represent the Austin Blues Society in the 25th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis this past February.  He also travels the US teaching workshops and performing at harmonica camps.  He is an endorser of Seydel harmonicas, along with James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, and others.

Ted Roddy

Ted Roddy was voted to the Austin Chronicle’s Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The acclaimed vocalist and harmonica player is a veteran of the Austin music scene since the mid-80's, having put together a number of memorable bands over the years, including Teddy and The Tall Tops, The Naughty Ones, the Original Elvis Tribute Band, and his current outfit, Ted Roddy and the Backwoods Hipsters. He is recognized around the world as a fine purveyor of American and Texas roots music including blues, honky tonk country, rockabilly and southern soul & rock-n-roll.

 

 

Lavelle White Lavelle White began performing in Houston clubs in the 1950's with the Johnny Copeland Band. Scouted by Don Robey of Duke-Peacock Records, she was signed to that label and cut her first sides with Duke in 1958. She consequently had several regional hits, including "Stop Those Teardrops", featuring Dr. John on piano, and "Yes, I've Been Crying." In all, she recorded nearly a dozen sides for Duke; she also wrote "Lead Me On" for Bobby "Blue" Bland. White also toured nationally throughout the '50's and '60's as an opening act or supporting act for numerous R&B packages, which included B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Sam Cooke, Gene Chandler, Gladys Knight & The Pips, the Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and Smokey Robinson. After her recording career ended at Duke in 1964, she continued working clubs in Texas and the south, including stints with famed Arkansas guitarist Lary Davis. She left Houston in the late 70's and moved to Chicago, where she beacame the headliner at the famed blues club the Kingston Mines from 1978 -1987. While in Chicago she worked with such notables as Jr. Wells, Buddy Guy and Lonnie Brooks. She returned to Houston in 1988 and once again began working the clubs, including Antone's in Austin. She has since been voted Houstons Blues Artist Of The Year, and recieved three French Academy Awards, including the Bill Broonzy Award and the Charlie Cross Academy award by President George Mitterand for her talent and contribution the the blues. 1994, she recorded her first full album, Miss Lavelle, on Antone's Records and it was voted one of the best blues albums of the year. She recieved three W.C. Handy Award nominations in May 1995, including Artist of the Year. The long hard years of hard work have finally paid off for Lavelle White, as she has finally begun to recieve the recogniztion deserving of her talent.

Spread the word- now you can purchase 1 or 3 year Austin Blues Society memberships with a credit or debit card on the ABS web site! Visit the ABS Membership page to renew or join the Austin Blues Society


Past ABS Events