Blues greats honor 'the Year of the Blues' during Jazz at Lincoln Center benefit gala, 'Blowin the Blues Away'

Jet, June 23, 2003

The U.S. Senate has declared 2003 "the Year of the Blues." And blues legends turned out in full force to help honor the recognition during the 2nd Annual Jazz at Lincoln Center spring benefit concert and gala titled Blowin' the Blues Away.

The event, held at the historic Apollo Theatre, was hosted by acclaimed actor Laurence Fishburne.

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Bill Frist (R-TN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Fred Thompson (R-TN) led the congressional effort to declare this the Year of the Blues.

Initiated by the Seattle-based Experience Music Project and the Memphis-based Blues Foundation, the honor brings long-overdue recognition to one of America's most important music forms. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the first encounter of blues music for "the Father of the Blues," composer W.C. Handy.