Posted by | Ray Cornelius
It was all about the Blues Friday evening at the opening night of Kevin Ramsey’s musical, Chasin’ dem Blues. The two-hour production had the audience groovin’ in their seats and waving their hands as it told the story of Paramount Records and its artists who transformed the music genre including Ma Rainey, Ida Cox and Blind Lemon Jefferson. The show is presented by Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company.
Anthony David with Chasin’ director and playwright Kevin Ramsey
Chasin’ dem Blues features the vocal talents of Brad Raymond as the main narrator ‘Blue;’ Maiesha McQueen as the sassy siren ‘Queen;’ Neo-Soul singer, Anthony David as ‘Harp;’ Jeremy Cohen as the wickedly charming, ‘Professor;’ and Che Marshall as the ‘Drummer.’ Chasin’ also includes such show stopping numbers as “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I’m a Woman,” “Jesus on the Mainline,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Handy Man,” and “Let the Good Times Roll.”
Chasin’ actress Maiesha McQueen with singer Rahbi and dancer/choreographer Juel D. Lane
A number of Atlanta notables came out to support the show including RHOA star Kenya Moore; Selma actress Charity Jordan; Atlanta radio personality, Joyce Littel; acclaimed blues singer, William Bell; noted drummer, JFly; Fulton County Chairman, John Eaves. Also spotted on the red carpet were Sr. Executive Director for the Atlanta Grammy office, Michele Rhea Caplinger along with the Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Bill Luckett and his wife. Clarksdale is considered by many to be the birthplace and world capitol of the blues. It is also home to the legendary “Crossroads” of Highway 41 and 69, where in 1936 blues guitarist, Robert Johnson, allegedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for extraordinary musical talent. This urban legend is played out in the musical.
After the show, theatre patrons enjoyed a variety of eats and danced the night away to the sounds of The Remote Band. Chasin’ dem Blues plays now through August 2 at the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta, GA. Check out a few more photos below:
Mayor Bill Luckett with True Colors’ Jenn McEwen and director/playwright Kevin Ramsey
Kenny Leon with Michele Rhea Caplinger and Board Member Amanda Brown-Olmstead
True Colors’ Francis Pepper Holley and former True Colors’ Community Relations Dir., Curtis King
JFly with Michele Rhea Caplinger and guests
Fulton County Chairman, John Eaves and wife
True Colors Theatre patrons
Blues singer William Bell
Chasin’ actors Jeremy Cohen and Brad Raymond with Mayor Bill Luckett and his wife
Selma actress Charity Jordan
Amanda Brown-Olmstead with Chasin’ actor Jeremy Cohen
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com