‘Mamas Got the Blues’ Offers Live Music, Film Experience at Tryon Palace

African American Lecture Series showcases female blues and jazz greats March 19 

The works of female jazz and blues icons will come together March 19 during “Mama’s Got the Blues,” a free multimedia production by blues guitarist and singer songwriter Ruth Wyand, and filmmaker Jean Antolini. Held as part of the Tryon Palace African American Lecture Series, the program will begin at 7 p.m. in the North Carolina History Center.

This merging of film and live music takes the audience on a musical journey that explores the women of jazz and blues who helped shape America’s rich musical history. Wyand will provide the live performance and soundtrack while footage designed by Antolini is projected onto the screen. 

Wyand’s performance will encompass the works of female blues and jazz artists from the early 1900s to the present, including like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Bonnie Raitt. In addition, Wyand will cover works from a few female blues and jazz artists overlooked and forgotten throughout history. 

The Tryon Palace African American Lecture Series offers a free, new program on the third Thursday of each month. All performances begin at 7 p.m. in Cullman Performance Hall and are free, thanks to a generous donation from the Harold H. Bate Foundation. 

Special hearing devices are available if needed. Contact Tryon Palace 48 hours in advance of the performance to make arrangements.
For more information call 252-639-3500.