I'm finally finished with the medical misadventures that have dominated my life since December. I'm totally well and rarin' to go.

I'm going to start out with a bang – a solo gig in beautiful Easton, Md., at a lovely audience-friendly venue: Coffee East. Please come for an evening of blues and boogie woogie and help me celebrate health and life. Easton is a lovely place for a mini vacation – or a maxi vacation. Here's what the critics say:

"Coffee East... a funky coffee shop in Easton, MD ... a gathering place for people of all ages to come relax, be entertained and enjoy good food and drink." - Shore Living Magazine

"Rewire at Coffee East with on-the-ball baristas and wireless Internet." - The Washington Post

"... the place is packed. Laughter and conversation drift from the back room." - The Eastern Shore Milestone

Check it out at: http://www.coffeeeast.com/coffeeshop.html

Yours in the blues,

- Ann

This message is from Ann's manager:


Ann Rabson has had a stretch of bad luck beginning last fall, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In early December, before she was able to have the necessary surgery, she suffered a perforated intestine and spent nearly two months in the hospital. Once home, Ann made a rapid recovery, preparing for lumpectomies and follow-up treatment, and resuming her performance schedule, which included this year's Blues Music Awards show. But her doctors have now discovered a malignant tumor in a kidney. Surgery to remove that kidney, along with the postponed breast cancer surgery, is scheduled for late April, so, to her great disappointment, she won't be back on her feet in time to attend the BMAs.

Ann has followed her passion of playing the blues since 1962, when she began her professional career in the music business. She is admired and respected as a songwriter, piano player, guitarist and entertainer. Ann is a nine-time Blues Music Award nominee, and this year is nominated for Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year.

Many fans and friends learning of Ann's situation have asked how they can help. Should you wish to offer support or good wishes, you can e-mail her at ann(at)annrabson.com or write to

Ann Rabson
P.O. Box 167
Hartwood,VA 22471

For updates you may contact Ann's manager, Bonnie Tallman at
_bmtallman@aol.com_ (mailto:bmtallman@aol.com) .

Here's a word from my manager.  Ann

We are pleased to announce that Ann Rabson has been nominated as the 2008 Blues Music Awards Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. She is especially pleased to be included with some of her personal favorites, Henry Butler, Honey Piazza, Bruce Katz, and David Maxwell.

Each year Ann she makes every effort to be at the Blues Music Awards, whether she receives a nomination or not, and she encourages you to do the same. Support the Blues Foundation and continue to support live music! And please, don't forget to VOTE!

Bonnie Tallman
Management for Ann Rabson

To vote go to:

http://www.blues.org/handys/vote.php4

People ask me how to learn to play blues piano or how to improve their playing. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject.

WORKSHOPS

There are many blues workshops around the country. I've taught
at four or 5 but they don't all always have piano. There are a
some blues workshops that I'd recommend. One is the Augusta
Heritage Workshops' Blues Week at Davis & Elkins College in
Elkins, W.Va., another is the Centrum workshop program in
Port Townsend, Wash and there's one in Southern Ohio. I've taught
at all of them , and they are all wonderful programs.

Each program is like summer camp for grownups - lots of fun. Learn
all day and jam all night. Sleep? When you're home.

Each program has its advantages.

The piano classes at Augusta (where I'll be taught this summer)
are held in three spaces. One is a piano lab tightly packed with
electric pianos. One is a smallish room where the students must
bring their own pianos and may leave them set up all week. In
the other room students may also set up their own pianos, but
this is not a dedicated space and the pianos must be taken down
after each class, a time-consuming pain in the *&&. A bigger
problem is that none of the jam sites have reasonable pianos, and
even unreasonable ones are at a premium.

The Port Townsend setup is much better for piano classes. The
years I've been there they have a room full of well-maintained
*real* pianos, and they're on wheels. After class they can be
moved to any of many jamming spaces of various sizes. This is WAY
cool.

The Augusta workshops include a lot of wonderful non-blues stuff,
everything from basketry to blacksmithing. In addition, there is
always another music week going on at the same time as Blues
Week. Some years it's Swing Week, which makes the piano situation
worse because they have piano players who want to jam, too, but
it can make for some interesting jam sessions. Some years it's
Cajun/Creole Week, and we all act up and have a lot of fun. So at
Augusta you can hear some great music in addition to blues, go to
dances and concerts, check out the crafts classes and basically
have a wonderful time.

Centrum has a website at www.centrum.org, and Augusta has one at
www.augustaheritage.com.

Some years there is a piano component to Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace
Ranch in Ohio. Sadly, this year there doesn't seem to be one. It's a really
fun place. Much smaller then the others and the food in a million times
better but it is costly. www.furpeaceranch.com.

My recommendation would be to do all three.

LESSONS ON TAPE

Homespun Tapes puts out a series of audio tapes (also video for
those who learn that way) that are very helpful. You might want
to order one tape, and then the whole set if the one works for
you (they have a way you can do that). The ones I recommend for
all but very advanced players are David Cohen's Blues/Rock Piano
audio tapes. They start out very simple but are very good.

If you're interested in Gospel piano or, like me, interested in
incorporating Gospel style into your blues, I HIGHLY recommend
Ethel Caffie-Austin's videotapes on Homespun.

Doctor John also has some wonderful tapes on Homespun. I find
them harder to learn from, but it's great fun listening to him,
and, who knows, you might pick up something as well.

Homespun's toll-free number is 800-338-2737, and their website is
at www.homespuntapes.com.

Here are some of the things I did when I was learning:

I listened to everything I could get my hands on (for some
recommendations, see the Piano Heroes rap on my website - www.annrabson.com);

I set a cassette player on my piano and played tapes of people
with NO piano (like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee) and played
along;

I jammed with anyone who would tolerate me.

Ann

An exhibit not to be missed.

For those of you in the New York City area, here's something cool: September 14 is the opening of "Objects of Desire: The Visual Language of Musical Instruments," an exhibit of photographs by my daughter, Liz Rabson Schnore. Hope we'll see you at the Jalopy Gallery in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
www.myspace.com/lizschnorephotography
www.jalopy.biz/gallery.php

The opening will be followed by a musical performance by the Roulette Sisters. A wonderful band not to be missed.
www.roulettesisters.com
www.myspace.com/theroulettesisters

Hello everyone.  I posted this as a bulletin thinking a few people would see it and even fewer would respond but, to my surprise I had quite a few requests so I decided to blog it in case anyone missed the invite.

I'm updating my mailing list.  Every once in a while I send out an e-newsletter with a schedule and a little information and sometimes a review, a joke or a snide remark.  It's kind of impersonal but it's a great way to stay in touch.  It's also a way to get out news fast.  I'm guessing we've been sending out about one edition  a month.

If you're interested in joining my list e-mail me with your e-mail address and I'll make it so.  If ever you wish to be removed just drop me a note and I'll make THAT so.

Yours in the blues, Ann

I am often asked how my career as a blues musician has been
affected by the fact that I'm a woman. I wish I could give a
simple answer. It's a really mixed and complex situation.

I believe that being a woman has made it harder for critics and
the public to see me as a serious artist. Reviews have not
infrequently commented on what I look like, my age, or what I
wear, and not mentioned my playing or singing. This is something
I haven't seen about men unless they are REALLY old or REALLY
young or wear a shocking pink wig.

Still, it's awfully hard for me to say that anything has hindered
my career. The truth is that, although I may have had to work and
fight for it, I am taken far more seriously then I ever expected.

I feel that in many ways being a woman has been helpful to me in
my career. There is often the feeling at a festival or concert
series that they must have a token female presence. I believe
this has given many opportunities to the all-female band I play
in. Of course we have to be able to entertain well enough to
capitalize on those opportunities and build a following. This
token woman thing has, I believe, been less helpful to me as a
solo artist - still, I think it helps.

Also, I think we women artists have a ready-made support from
women in every aspect of the industry: fans, radio DJs, writers,
club owners. I find that women tend to like to see other women
succeed.

In addition I have found the most courtly and helpful attitudes
from the mature men musicians and even some of the immature ones.
I've seen them be cutting and competitive with each other, and
then turn around and (figuratively) hold doors open for me.

I used to think that I had a lot of trouble getting some sound
technicians to take my needs seriously because I am a woman. Then
I did a short tour with a guy band. It was the same damn thing!

To tell the truth, I believe that if I were a man and played and
sang as well as I do - and worked as hard - I don't honestly
think I would be any farther along in my career. I could be wrong
but I guess I'll never know.  Probably just as well.

Yours in the blues,

Ann

The Monroe County, Michigan, library system puts on fabulous FREE blues programs every February, and this is their 20^th year at it. I always enjoy hearing and playing and singing the blues, but last Saturday night in Monroe was especially fantastic. Some day I'll be in a rocking chair in the old folks home remembering it and smiling.

Here's how it went down:

The Reverend Robert Jones – a wonderful blues man in his own right – was master of ceremonies. After a few down-home tunes, Robert brought out R.J. Spangler and his Rhythm Rockers. What a BAND! R.J. led the band, and on drums he rocked us with a steady roll. Mike Marshall played electric bass with a groove a mile wide. Solid as stone. Shawn McDonald played keys – very tasty and fat (not him – his playing) and what an exciting singer! Pat Seymour played sweet and hot sax – wish he'd played more. I was totally blown away by Paul Carey on guitar. On a night with such an embarrassment of guitar riches he more then held his own. A soulful and musical player.

Speaking of great guitarists, Johnnie Bassett – Detroit's under-recognized blues genius - took the stage and played and sang deep, deep, exciting blues. And who knew he could dance like that? What a treasure. I'd sure like to hear more from him.

Alberta Adams – one genuinely grand woman of the blues – thrilled us when she sang her blues. Heartfelt but also playful. What a great lady! Makes me proud to be a diva. She's one of my heroes for sure.

While we're on the subject of divas, Thornetta Davis is unbelievable! She's got it all: the voice, the pitch, the phrasing, the power, the soul, the musicality. I can't imagine why she's not a household name. Yet. She's also real glamorous and nice to look at. Plus she's one sweet lady, and it shows from the stage.

That was just the first half!

The second half started with Madcat Ruth and the Rev., then Madcat alone. Harp and uke. Who'd have thunk? Only our Madcat could pull it off. That odd combination sounded SO bluesy. Reminded me of some of that really old blues, like the Harlem Hamfats or Memphis Minnie. Madcat brought me up and we did a duet. What a pleasure! Then I did a couple of solos, and brought R.J. and the fellows up for a couple.

Then is was STAR time - the legendary Hubert Sumlin joined us playing and singing his heart out and loving every minute. His joy, his love of life and music is contagious, and everyone in the house – audience and performers - merged into one happy blues music machine. If the whole human race could be a little more like Hubert Sumlin it would be a perfect world. I think I'll start a movement of WWHD? What would Hubert do?

We all got into the act for the rest of the show. Johnnie Bassett, Thornetta, Madcat, Robert Jones. What joy! We rocked the house until the clock said it was time to stop.

The Monroe library system is certainly doing a great job of celebrating the blues. Check their website to see what I'm talking about: http://www.monroe.lib.mi.us/blues_2007.htm

Ann

I just got the distressing news that the illustrious Chord on Blues in St. Charles, IL has closed its doors. This wasn't some poorly run, hole-in-the-wall, fly-by-night operation. This club was just celebrating ten years in the business and had been named 2006 Blues Club of the Year by the Blues Foundation.

I just love hearing the affirmative cries when an artist yells "Do you love the blues?" but I'm thinking that's not enough. We've got to make that love of the blues a verb! An active thing. We need to go out and hear live blues. Even that's not enough to turn this around. We've got to let our friends and neighbors know and encourage them to go to the shows. We've got to put up fliers. You can print out fliers from many artists' and clubs' websites. On mine, if you click on the date (like Jan. 2) you'll get a printable flier for the gig.

We've got to join our local blues societies and be as active as we can. We've got to join the Blues Foundation .. it's cheap and it's a great way to keep up with blues news. Being a member also allows us to vote for the Blues Music Awards winners. I just did.

Also .. I hate to seem self-serving, but when I give holiday and birthday gifts it's nearly always CDs. People love getting them. This year some people got the new Barrelhouse Chuck recording (more about that at a later date) and some got the CD by a little-known but wonderful group called the Roulette Sisters. Last year people got the new Arthur Migliazza or Erwin Helfer, and the year before "Homage" by Greg Piccolo and another by Mr. Helfer. You get the idea. It's only a few bucks but why give it to some huge corporation when artists need the money and your friends LOVE the music from you? A gift that gives twice!

Enough of this rant. Let's not let blues and all live music go the way of the ivory-billed woodpecker! You never know when in the future you might just long to have your wood pecked!

Yours in the blues, Ann

I got some wonderful holiday gifts this year, and one of my favorites is
the new Bob Margolin CD "In North Carolina."

It's a great CD and it shows sides of Bob--both musical and
temperamental--that haven't always been apparent. He shows his gentle
side with such songs as his wistful "In North Carolina," T-Bone Walker's
"Natural Blues" and Bob's lovely canine portrait in the instrumental
"Colleen."

Musically, the variety of styles here is amazing. Bob includes a pair of
Muddy's songs, which is not unusual, but Bob Dylan's "Tears of Rage" and
the traditional jazz number "You Rascal You" are not what one might be
expecting. Harmony isn't usually my favorite thing in the blues, but Bob
does a great job, especially on the Tampa Red tune "Baby, Baby, Baby."
Sweet!

While Bob has always had wonderful bands, this one is really
exceptional: It's all Bob all the time. Just goes to show you how
sometimes playing with oneself is really the way to go. It's a great
way to get just what you had in mind.

In keeping with the current trend toward sexy covers, this CD has a
wildly attractive male animal gracing the cover.