Black History Month Blues Series

The Monroe County Library System’s award-winning history lesson with a backbeat.

With awards from the Public and Michigan Library Associations, the Rhythm & Blues Foundation and The Blues Foundation’s 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Education (the blues world’s most prestigious honor available to non-musicians), the series is now the state’s longest running annual blues celebration.

2025 Blues Series

The Blues returns in February 2025 with six “Tuesday is Blues Day” library branch concerts and the main show, The Big Gig!

Among the branch concerts are a solo show by Detroit’s “Prince of the Blues” Chris Canas; a tribute to the late “Gentleman of the Blues” Johnnie Bassett by the Brothers Groove; Toledo’s dynamic gospel group Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder; and a musical history lesson presented by Rev. Robert Jones and writer Bill Harris. Tuesday evening concerts run from January 28 through March 4, 2025.

This year’s Big Gig showcases blues and its related styles that formed the foundation for rock and roll in the 1950s, 1960s, and beyond. Performers include Rev. Robert Jones, George Bedard & the Kingpins, and Chicago area singer Nora Jean Wallace and her band. The Big Gig takes place on Saturday, February 22 at Monroe County Community College.

Rollie Tussing

Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Ida Branch Library | 3016 Lewis Avenue, Ida, MI 48140

Award winner fingerstyle and slide guitarist, Rollie Tussing, kicks off the 2025 Blues Series. Tussing describes his music as “lonesome tunes” consisting of blues, country and folk from the early 1920s and ‘30s.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until branch capacity is reached.

Chris Canas

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Dorsch Memorial Branch Library | 18 East First Street, Monroe, MI 48161

Known for his blistering electric guitar and high-octane performances, Chris Canas, Detroit’s “Prince of the Blues,” unplugs for a solo acoustic set of original and classic blues.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until branch capacity is reached.

Rev. Robert B. Jones and Bill Harris

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Carleton Branch Library | 1444 Kent Street, Carleton, MI 48117

Detroit writer Bill Harris and musician Rev. Robert Jones present “The Blues and What They’re Good For,” an exploration of the blues as a musical art form with songs that speak to a problem and provide a way to cope with the situation. Through spoken-word prose and poetry provided by Mr. Harris and musical accompaniment by Rev. Jones, they blend different art forms to produce a deeper understanding of the blues.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until branch capacity is reached.

The Brothers Groove

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Bedford Branch Library | 8575 Jackman Road, Temperance, MI 48182

The Brothers Groove led by organist Chris Codish pay tribute to one of the blues series’ favorite performers, the late Johnnie Bassett. Accompanying the band for the tribute are special guests guitarist Brett Lucas and sax player Keith Kaminski.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until branch capacity is reached.

The Big Gig!

Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Monroe County Community College, La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater | 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe MI

Celebrate Black History Month and “the roots of all American music” with Monroe County’s award-winning annual blues music concert, The Big Gig! This year’s show is a musical journey through a variety of blues styles that influenced American roots music in the 1950s, 1960s, and beyond.

Rev. Robert B. Jones serves as the master of ceremonies and opens with a set of acoustic country blues coming out of the South. Ann Arbor’s renowned guitarist George Bedard and the Kingpins play a mix of blues and related styles including rockabilly, swing, jazz, country, and rock and roll mostly from the 1950s. Veteran Chicago area singer Nora Jean Wallace and her band feature Delta and Chicago blues.

Seating for the Big Gig is general admission, first-come, first-served until the Meyer Theater capacity is reached. Doors to the theater will open at 6:00 p.m.

Creole du Nord and Cedric Watson

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

South Rockwood Branch Library | 5676 Carleton Rockwood Road, S. Rockwood, MI 48179

Mardi Gras in Monroe is celebrated with the Michigan-based group Creole du Nord featuring accordion player Mark Palms. The band is joined by Louisiana’s acclaimed fiddler Cedric Watson in a concert showcasing Creole, Cajun and Zydeco styles.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until branch capacity is reached.

Nikki D & the Sisters of Thunder

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Ellis Library & Reference Center | 3700 S. Custer Road, Monroe, MI 48161

Toledo’s dynamic gospel group Nikki D & the Sisters of Thunder blend gospel and blues providing infectious rhythms and grooves. Nikki D, known as “The Jimi Hendrix of Sacred Steel,” leads the group on vocals and Hawaiian steel guitar.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served until branch capacity is reached.