Film Screening “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues”

10 Freebody Street,Newport RI 02840

26 February, 2023

Description

Film Screening “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues”Presented for Black History Month by the RI Slave History Medallions, an award-winning documentary film, “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues” will be screened Sunday, February 26 at 7pm, with a live performance by the James Montgomery Blues Band, at the Casino Theater, 10 Freebody St. Newport. Doors open 6pm with appetizers and cash bar. Tickets are $40 available at Eventbrite or at the door. The evocative documentary film directed by Bestor Cram contains rare archival footage and performances exploring Cotton’s life and providing a deep understanding of the blues tradition. Bonnie Blue was the name of the plantation where James Cotton was born and worked as a youngster. Cotton, who faced challenges as an orphan in the segregated Deep South, become a virtuoso harmonica player and singer, and an international blues icon of the Delta Blues tradition eventually bringing American blues to the forefront worldwide. The film has been screened in major cities worldwide and won coveted national awards from The Library of Congress Ken Burns Prize for Film in 2021, and the International Black Film Festival at Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music. Co-produced by Newport- based blues artist James Montgomery, he said of the harmonica “It’s the most intimate of all musical instruments” and that Cotton influenced blues and rock and roll players with his signature tunes “Got My Mojo Workin’” and “Rocket 88.” A special half-hour live performance will follow the film featuring the all-star James Montgomery Blues Band with Christine Ohlman, The Beehive Queen from Saturday Night Live, drummer Marty Richards formerly of Roomful of Blues, Duke Robillard, and J. Geils, plus bassist David Hull of Joe Perry and Aerosmith, and guitarist, George McCann from Ackroyd/ Belushi’s Blues Brothers Band. Opening will be singer/guitarist Kara McKee from NBC’s “The Voice” and daughter of RI Governor Dan McKee.