Thu 2/12 @ 5PM
The thing about blues musicians is that the music is in their blood, and they don’t stop until they drop. Cleveland’s legendary bluesman, Robert Lockwood Jr, was still performing until shortly before he died at the age of 91. And one of his former band members is following in his footsteps. Harmonica player Wallace Coleman turns 90on February 10. And he’s celebrating by hitting the stage at The Sixty6 Music Lounge at the Midtown Collaboration Center.
Like many of his generation, including Lockwood, Coleman came north at the end of the Great Migration, moving from Tennessee to Cleveland in the 1950s, and becoming part of the local blues community. With an active scene and touring circuit, Coleman absorbed diverse blues styles including traditional Delta blues and electrified Chicago blues. After retiring from Hough Bakeries at age 51, Coleman joined Lockwood’s band fulltime, the only harmonica player to perform with him. Coleman left Lockwood’s band (with his encouragement) after a decade to form his own ensemble in 1997. Since then, he’s toured the world, played at major blues festivals in Europe and the U.S., released several albums and remained a beloved part of the area blues scene.
The celebration at the Sixty6 is free and open to all. (You can register in advance here.) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wallace-coleman-90th-birthday-celebration-tickets-1980140305959?aff=oddtdtcreator It also marks the kickoff of a new quarterly Cleveland Blues Jam Series centered on the veteran musician’s musical legacy. The 150 trio will play from 5-6pm, and the Wallace Coleman Band plays from 6-9pm, featuring vocalist Jody Getz, Coleman’s wife. Future events will be held March 28, July 25 and August 29. Coleman will be appearing at each.
For more information, go to thesixty6.com.