The Blues out Norf'
Preserving our roots...our music
North & Greater Richmond Blues Foundation
Mission: To educate, preserve, support, and promote Blues music.
Purpose: Preserve our roots, our music…our legends, and promoting the future of Blues music in North and Greater Richmond, California.
Community: Share our culture through Blues music and performance art, historical exhibits, and Blues preservation events, while engaging our fans, within the community.
Goals: Provide industry-related information, webinars, videos, documentation, mentoring, recognition awards, artist showcases, Blues jams, concerts, festivals, all opportunities for today’s working artist.
THE HISTORY
In the early 1940’s African Americans came by trains, migrating from the south looking for a better way of life. They brought their music and blended it with those already there. They work hard together in the shipyards and factories. And they built an incredible legacy of Blues music and a culture worthy to be preserved.
Programs & Projects
The Richmond Walk
The Richmond Walk on May 28, 2022 is the final piece of the McCracklin Events of 2021. A street "renaming" project out in North Richmond. We will develop a community video to the music of "The Walk" a top ten hit for Jimmy in 1958. In the future it will be an annual 2K walk/run event. Click link Below for more Info. and the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1091303994961790
The North Richmond Music Festival
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2022 AT 12 PM The North Richmond Music Festival 2022 https://www.facebook.com/events/270631235046784
Blues out Norf'
Blues Jams are the backbone of the Blues culture. Musicians, vocalists and fans coming together to jam and make music for all to enjoy. Blues out Norf' is the signature program of NGRBF. Blues Jams are held frequently so please check the calendar for the next jam.
Richmond Music Legends
Annual Recognition Awards for performing artists for the North & Greater Richmond community. In 2021 we honored Richmond Blues Ambassador Jimmy McCracklin.with a Centennial Celebration of his birthday with a birthday party, museum exhibit and a Blues concert.
Blues from the Heart
Annual Founder's Fundraiser Blues from the Heart was celebrated on February 13th at the Moose Lodge in El Sobrante on Valentines' Day Eve. Friends, family and fans of the Blues came out for a gala evening of fun, great food, comedy, and live Blues Music. Please join us for our 2023 Event, Details on our Facebook Page @richmondcabluesfoundation
Happy New Year!
Year-End Statement for the North & Greater Richmond Blues Foundation, Inc. 2021 was a very interesting year filled with both opportunities to change, grow and prosper, as well as, to slow up, step back, and reflect on living life and doing business differently than we had envisioned. The North & Greater Richmond Blues Foundation has been able to plan, pivot and promote when needed, to find a new way to fulfill its goals and objectives for this year. With support from our community, its residents, businesses, organizations and municipalities we’ve made credible progress in the preserving of our roots and our music legacy here in Richmond, California. This year we held three Holiday Blues out Norf’ jam sessions 5/29, 7/3, and 9/4 in the courtyard of our offices at the Valor Building at 1350 Kelsey St. in North Richmond. We also instituted a new program entitled Richmond Music Legends which honors musicians and artists for their contributions to the traditions of west coast blues. This year’s program honored Richmond’s Ambassador of the Blues, Jimmy McCracklin, celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth with a birthday party 8/13 at the CoBiz facility, a museum exhibit at The Richmond Museum of History & Culture 8/14-8/29 and a concert on the Richmond Civic Center Plaza 8/14 featuring Richmond musicians, performing artists and local businesses. Looking forward to 2022 we have some exciting plans underway. Beginning Valentine’s weekend Sunday, February 13th – “Blues from the Heart” a live Blues concert & dinner at the Moose Lodge, in El Sobrante. If you love the Blues and want to share a wonderful gift with your valentine, please plan on joining us for the fun…details to follow. On May 28th “The Richmond Walk” McCracklin Street Renaming Project will take place in North Richmond. This event is the culmination of the McCracklin Events Projects for 21/22. It will be a street party with live music, vendors, with food, tons of fun and games for attendees. On Saturday, July 16th look for the return of the North Richmond Music Festival at Shields Reid Park. The Covid19 pandemic forced a shut down for this event for the past two years, but we are on track to open it up for the community to enjoy again. The Richmond Music Legends event is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th stay tuned for updates for this event. The Blues out Norf jam sessions will be starting up late spring…check back for the when and where’s of it All! Thanks to all of our 2021 sponsors, participants, and attendees of our events…let’s see what we do in 2022. DeJeana Burkes, Executive Director
