ReMINDers and Maya Azucena Headline MCLA Blues & Funk Fest

Maya Azucena

Maya Azucena

(NORTH ADAMS, MASS.) – The ReMINDers and Maya Azucena headline the 10th Annual Blues and Funk Festival at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) on Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 7:30pm in the MCLA Venable Gymnasium at 375 Church St. Other performers include the Berkshires’ own Albert Cummings Band, Arthur Holmes Blues Band, and Misty Blues Band.

The ReMINDers are husband and wife duo, Brussels-born MC Big Samir and Queens-born emcee/vocalist Aja Black. Big Samir weaves intricate rhythmic patterns with a bilingual French/English flow, displaying his street-smart credibility in both his lyrics and cool demeanor. Aja Black’s confident delivery, diverse cadences, and unique vocal stylings balance the act. The ReMINDers have shared stages with Les Nubians, Snoop Dogg, Fishbone, Barrington Levy, Nas, Mos Def, Big Boi, KRS-One and Rakim, K’Naan.

Maya Azucena, MTV Made’s Award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist, was born and raised in Brooklyn. She recently joined a prestigious lineup of artists, including Jill Scott, Maxwell and Beyonce, at 2013 Essence Fest in New Orleans, and was selected to showcase on the invite-only secret stage in the Grammy Museum, produced by BET for BETX.

Self-described as sounding like “The Roots if fronted by a singer with 4-octaves,” or a “female Bruno Mars”, Billboard and the Washington Post have heralded her mesmerizing performances, as well as the Village Voice stating, “armed with a powerfully compelling voice, Azucena just could be the most impressive of the current hip-hop/soul/r&b diva crop.”

ReMINDers liveSaturday will see a celebration of the blues rooted in the Berkshires, as local blues artists Arthur Holmes Blues Band, Misty Blues Band and the Albert Cummings Band perform.

Williamstown native Albert Cummings has opened for countless legendary acts, including Johnny Winter, Sheryl Crow and B.B. King. He has recorded with Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton and Reese Wynans, better known as Double Trouble, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s backing band. Cummings’ 2012 album, “No Regrets,” debuted at number one in the United States, Canada and France on the iTunes Blues Charts, and at number five on the Billboard blues charts.

The Arthur Holmes Blues Band is comprised of Arthur Holmes on guitar and vocals, John Worth on bass, and Bridget Wnukowski on drums. They performing blues and blues-based rock music with a strong Led Zeppelin influence.?

Albert Cummings

Albert Cummings

The Misty Blues Band consists of Gina Coleman on vocals, Jason Webster on guitar, Bill Patriquin on bass, Jeff Dudziak on rhythm guitar, Ben Kohn on keyboards and Kali Baba McConnell on drums.

Special two-day general admission pricing is $15. Admission is free for MCLA students and MCLA Presents Members!, $5 for staff and faculty and non-MCLA high school or college students, $8 for MCLA alumni, and $10 or general admission.

Tickets may be reserved by calling (413) 662-5204. For more information call (413)664-8718 or visit Blues and Funk Festival at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

 

 

 

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