The blistering, modern blues of Jarekus Singleton will headline the Black Prairie Blues Festival in West Point Friday, Sept. 2. For the 21st year, blues fans will gather in the hometown of Chester Arthur Burnett — legendary bluesman Howlin’ Wolf — to immerse themselves in music. The indoor, air-conditioned festival, formerly called the Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival, takes place on the Mary Holmes College campus. Gates will be open by 5:30 p.m., says Jeremy Klutts, program director with the Prairie Belt Blues Foundation.
Stormy Monday and Lightnin’ Malcolm are also featured in the lineup of established as well as up-and-coming talent.
Stormy Monday will kick off Friday’s music at 6 p.m. or shortly after. The “down home” blues band based out of Starkville performs original songs, but also pays tribute to the greats, from Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan to Wolf and Muddy Waters. The band released their debut album, “Have Blues Will Travel,” in July.
Malcolm is well-known for his cutting edge guitar work and soulful vocals. The Mississippian has performed on world stages with artists such as Robert Plant, Jimmy Buffett and The Black Keys, his biography says. The 2009 Blues Music Awards Best Debut Artist winner released his latest album, “Foot Soldier,” in April. He is expected to begin by 8 p.m.
B-ball to blues
Before Jarekus Singleton began making a name for himself as a novel blues artist, the Clinton native received plenty of press as a top-seeded national college basketball player. At William Carey University he led the nation in scoring and was the 2007 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Player of the Year. When an ankle injury in 2009 sidelined basketball hopes, Singleton rediscovered music. Taught by his uncle, he had begun playing guitar at 9 in his grandfather’s church band. As a teen, his attention was captured by the blues.
Influenced by artists like the blues’ Albert King, rapper Jay-Z and even country music’s Brad Paisley, Singleton has developed a singular high-energy style. Of note to local blues fans, Singleton’s organ and keyboard player is Sam Brady, brother of Columbus musician Paul Brady.
Singleton’s 2014 CD “Refuse to Lose” scored the No. 2 spot on MOJO magazine’s Top Ten Blues CDs of the year. Singleton has also garnered several Jackson Music Awards, including Blues Artist of the Year and Local Entertainer of the Year. The Jackson Free Press named him Best Local Blues Artist in 2013. He and his band should go on stage about 9:45 p.m.
Festival facts
Tickets are $20 in advance in Columbus at the Columbus Arts Council, in Starkville at Jack Forbus Insurance Co. or in West Point at the Growth Alliance. Tickets may also be ordered online at tinyurl.com/bpbluesfest. Tickets at the door are $25.
Barbecue, soft drinks, water (not beer), T-shirts and CDs will be available for purchase. Small personal coolers are allowed.
The event traditionally draws fans from outside the area.
“Just this morning I’ve got someone from Indiana who bought tickets,” Klutts said Thursday. “With the blues festival Friday night and then the Prairie Arts Festival the following day, this is a great weekend to be in West Point and see all it has to offer.”
The festival is sponsored by the Prairie Belt Blues Foundation and area businesses and organizations. The state chartered, nonprofit foundation has an educational element tied to Howlin’ Wolf and other Mississippi blues artists. A museum opened in West Point in honor of Howlin’ Wolf in 2005. West Point received the Howlin’ Wolf Mississippi Blues Trail Marker in 2007.
The festival venue is located at 222 Mary Holmes Drive, off Highway 50 West in West Point.
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