A Brief Blues Series History

Spirit of the Series

From its beginning in 1988, the Monroe County Library System’s Annual Black History Month Blues Series has sought to pay tribute to the profound contributions of African American artists to the nation’s rich musical heritage. Each year, participating performers are invited not only to entertain, but also to educate, carrying forward a tradition rooted in storytelling, history, and sound.

Early Beginnings

The Blues Series began with a simple idea and a shared vision. In 1988, MCLS Event Coordinator Tim McGorey reached out to Detroit’s Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr. to produce a Black History Month program at the library. With the support of Ellis Library Manager Bill Reiser, the initial idea blossomed into what would become the longest-running annual blues celebration in the state of Michigan.

Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr.

The series’ first performer, Rev. Robert Jones, remains its heart and soul. From day one, he embodied the Blues Series mission—blending musical excellence with deep cultural education. Robert began the series in February 1988 at the L.S. Navarre Branch Library. Over the years, he has returned again and again, not just as a performer but as a host, a guide, and a keeper of the blues.

In 1994, Robert presented The Blues Experience at the L.S. Navarre Branch Library—a four-part lecture series exploring the roots and branches of the blues tradition. His topics included women in the blues, the spiritual influence on blues music, the shift from country to urban blues, and the legacies of blues legends. But these weren’t ordinary lectures. Seated on a librarian’s stool with a guitar in hand, Robert brought history to life through song. For those lucky enough to attend, it was nothing short of a master class in both music and American history.

In 2024, Robert gave a special presentation, The Evolution of African American Traditional Music, taking his audience on a one hundred year journey though black music—from spirituals through modern blues and its related styles. A companion booklet was provided to reinforce major points of his presentation, with an annotated bibliography and discography for further research. Selected drawings from his portfolio were also included in the booklet and give faces to the names.

For more than three decades, Robert has continued to unearth and celebrate the rich cultural heritage embedded in the blues and in African American music. His knowledge spans from pre-Civil War traditions to modern-day expressions. Through performances, storytelling, and lectures across the country, he has educated and inspired audiences in schools, libraries, historical societies, and music festivals alike.

Bill Reiser

A pillar of the Monroe County Library System, Bill Reiser began his career in 1987 and quickly became known throughout the community for his production of the Annual Black History Month Blues Series. Bill lovingly referred to the event as the Monroe County Library System’s “award-winning history lesson with a backbeat.” Under his leadership, the Blues Series grew in scope and acclaim, receiving recognition from the Public Library Association, the Michigan Library Association, and the Rhythm & Blues Foundation.

In 2009, the series received one of the blues world’s highest honors: The Blues Foundation’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Education, a national award typically reserved for non-musicians who make significant contributions to preserving blues culture.

Continuing the Blues

Following Bill Reiser’s passing in 2021, the series continued under the steady guidance of Tim McGorey, whose behind-the-scenes leadership helped preserve the integrity and spirit of the program.

Tom Ryder, a longtime leader at Monroe County Community College, also joined the Blues Team, bringing with him the same passion and dedication that have long defined the series’ legacy.