Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Hall

When the United States Embassy stages this year's edition of its immensely popular, free Gleaner-sponsored 'Blues on the Green' concert on Friday, February 29, the blues will come primarily from Chicago, USA's, Nora Jean Bruso.

And the green will be around the bandstand at Hope Gardens, Hope Road, St. Andrew.

The lady who has been named among the top 10 women in Chicago Blues and whose debut CD, Nora Jean Sings the Blues, ran on the Living Blues Radio Charts for six months, will be on a line-up that also features Jamaican standouts Fab Five, The Maurice Gordon Group, Pam Hall, To-Isis and Michael Harris.

Eighth year

Information Associate at the US Embassy, Fern Whyte, told The Gleaner that this is the eighth year of the concert, in celebration of Black History Month, featuring an overseas performer. However, a concert had been staged before with an all-Jamaican line-up.

"We have had some very good ones over the past few years," Whyte said, naming Sister Monica and Francine Reid among the standouts. Zora Young performed last year.

As for selecting the Jamaican cast, Whyte said "Each year we get suggestions, we go through a whole list of people offering themselves up. We try not to repeat the performers. It is not just a celebration of American music; it is a celebration of black music, so local performers are integral to the show."

Serious parking problems

Bruso - file photos

While most of the 'Blues on the Green' concerts have been staged at Devon House, with one being put on at Emancipation Park, Whyte said there had been serious parking and logistics problems, hence the switch to Hope Gardens. With limited parking at the Gardens, there will be parking provided at Jamaica College on Hope Road, and Gibson Drive in Hope Pastures, from where there will be free shuttle service to the venue.

And there will be other things free there, as some of the many sponsors will be providing food samples.

Among the 'Blues on the Green' sponsors are LASCO, American Airlines, Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, Jamaica Beverages and Power 106 FM.

The 2008 'Blues on the Green' comes a day after the closing film in the US Embassy's 'Blues Meets Jazz' film series, which is being staged at RedBones the Blues Café on Braemar Avenue in New Kingston. Antone's Home of the Blues will be shown on Thursday, February 28, to conclude a weekly series which began on Thursday, January 24.

The sole exception to the Thursday showings is this Wednesday's The Howlin, Wolf Story, The Secret History of Rock and Roll, which has been moved up because of Valentine's Day.

The movies are also free and begin at 7:30 p.m.

"The shows have been successful, in terms of people coming out," Whyte said.