Boulder's Fox Theatre Presents LADIES OF THE BLUES NIGHT, 5/18

Immediately following Taj Mahal's 70th birthday celebration at the Boulder Theater, TheBluesMobile.com, 97.3 KBCO, Daily Camera & Colorado Daily present the 2nd Annual Boulder Roots & Blues Summit at the Fox Theatre & Boulder Theater Friday, May 18th through Saturday, May 19th. Ladies of the Blues Night, ft. Treasa Levasseur, Hope Waits and Fredericks Brown ft. Deva Mahal, daughter of legendary blues musician, comes to the Fox Theatre for a free show on May 18th.

Levasseur remains one of the most versatile of artists, drawing from a deep pool of influences, from Brill Building pop to Muscle Shoals soul, and all points between — and she’s been compared to Laura Nyro, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King and Marcia Ball. Above all, she simply wants to play, and in addition to gigs with her own regular musicians, she cheerfully makes the time to play with at least three other bands on a regular basis.

Three years ago, three Kiwis relocated independently to New York to pursue their individual careers. Their wide-ranging cultural heritage, with Deva, daughter of legendary blues musician Taj Mahal, drawing on her rich organic soul and blues roots; and Steph, shimmering with sublime Pacific-infused grooves - it truly set the song-writing sparks flying and Fredericks Brown was formed. In 2009, horn maestro MiKey Taylor, who had just graduated with a Masters in Jazz from the Manhattan School of Music, joined the duo as a gat player, adding fuel to the flames with his arranging sensibility and rhythmic force. Fredericks Brown performs regularly around New York City and have opened for Etta James and toured in support of Taj Mahal.

Hope Waits possesses that rare talent that is born of challenge, pain and heart. Raised on the banks of Bayou Desaird in Monroe, Louisiana, her story eerily parallels those of many of the great blues and soul singers whose essence she reflects. The 7th of 12 children born to an alcoholic father and a manic depressive mother, Hope and her siblings shared a dark childhood filled with poverty, abuse and neglect. “The hunger was overwhelming,” she reflects. “Basic needs were rarely met, and the abuse was astounding; but I love my family and I would never want anyone to feel sorry for me.” With her debut album, Hope Waits is beginning to put her struggles behind her and a bright future is starting to unravel. Her story of triumph and redemption has begun.

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