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Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo

Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo

Comprised of Valerie and Benedict Turner, The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo are ambassadors of Country Blues music, Piedmont-style fingerpicking, and roots percussion. Their mission is to help bring awareness to these unique aspects of African-American culture and to early blues artists' contributions through performing and teaching. They have entertained audiences domestically and abroad and are much loved wherever they go.

As 2018 inductees into the New York Blues Hall of Fame, this husband-and-wife duo feel that "there are stories to tell, people to remember, and things that must be said" so, in addition to tickling your ears with delightful music, they weave a bit of history into the presentation of each song. A Piedmont Blūz concert isn’t just music – it’s an experience as they transport you back to the 1920s and 1930s, the hey-day of acoustic Country Blues music. In addition to performing songs from that time frame, they introduce each piece with an interesting anecdote about the composer, the period, or the song itself. Added to Music to Life's official Juried Artist roster in 2024, the duo looks forward to contributing to this network of musician change agents.

The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo self-published a music book that the Library of Congress has acquired. This book teaches guitar players a traditional fingerpicking style popular among early blues musicians. They are also board members of the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation, with Valerie as its Co-President and Benedict as its Creative Director. In these capacities, they have conducted fundraising, published articles, given presentations about the life and times of John Hurt, and helped create a documentary film.

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca
23
06:30 PM - 08:30 PM on Sat, 8 Feb 2025

Event Supported By

Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
607-387-5939
gcook@tburgconservatory.org

Artist Group Info

Valerie & Benedict Turner
info@piedmontbluz.com
First Unitarian Society of Ithaca
306 N Aurora Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 273-7521
office@uuithaca.org