JUS' BLUES MUSIC FOUNDATION EDUCATORS
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DR. JOHNNY JONES - Director Blues Got A Soul Initiatives
Jones comes from Arkansas Baptist College, a private, historically black four-year liberal arts college where he has served as executive vice president and chief academic officer since June of 2006. Prior to his current appointment, he was assistant dean of graduate recruitment and retention at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Jones was a member of the faculty at Washington State University from August 2001 to 2004, and served as director of recruitment and retention programs for the WSU College of Education Future Teachers of Color Program. While a student at MVSU, Dr. Jones earned a bachelor of science degree in health, physical education, recreation and dance. He received a master of education in recreation and leisure management from Springfield College. He holds a doctorate in education in leadership and policy from Bernelli University in Alexandria, Va. Dr. Jones completed the management development program at Harvard’s Summer Leadership Institute in 2007. |
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EDUCATORS / LECTURERS
DEACON BLUZ Phd - BLUES HISTORIAN Dr. White is a nationally known and in demand as a speaker, consultant, Blues artist and Blues music educator who teaches “Blues in the Schools” programs and consults with schools, museums, colleges-universities, senior citizen programs, recreation/cultural centers and arts organizations. He has also produced the “deaconbluz radio show” which was broadcast over National Public Radio affiliated stations. He has been a consultant to the National Jazz Service Organization, the Pew Foundation, the Delta Blues Museum, the Chattanooga African American Museum, the Afro-American Museum of Philadelphia, the High Museum of Atlanta, The Mckenzie Foundation, Community Impact of Chattanooga/Lyndhurst Foundation, Riverbend Festival, House of Hope and the Jewish Cultural Center of Chattanooga.
Amanda Taylor-Rodriguez - Developing Life Skills
A native of Los Angeles, California, a graduate of UCLA, and has a Masters of Education Degree from Jackson State University with more than 25 years of providing education and training at the collegiate, technical and vocational levels. She authored the manual Job Search Techniques: A Manual for Developing Skills to Secure Gainful Employment, which provides a curriculum of employability soft skills training and strategies for those seeking gainful employment and having fun in the discovery. She also facilitates job search and career workshops to assist with developing a plan that markets participants’ skills among employers
Sandra "SaNa" Foster -Phd, Bandleader
Sandra earned a Ph.D. in Social Welfare in 1984. After graduating, SaNa taught in Schools of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas from 1984-85; Grambling State University in Louisiana from 1985-87; University of Southern Mississippi in Hattisburg from 1987-1991; Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N. Carolina from 1991-97. She has been employed at The Whitney M. Young, Jr., School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University since 1994,now retired Associate Professor.
KEISHA JACKSON - SINGER, SONGWRITER
Born the daughter of sassy legendary soulstress Millie Jackson, Keisha began singing professionally at age 15 as a background vocalist for her mother. She later went on to record 2 albums with Sony Records. In the background She began her vocal coaching agency, One Voice Entertainment in 2001. Keisha has contributed vocals on recordings with iconic artists like Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Josh Stone and others. She has also toured with the likes of Outkast, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and Raphael Saadiq. A certified life coach...and a well-respected industry vocal coach continues to mentor aspiring vocalists in Atlanta and across the globe.
Born the daughter of sassy legendary soulstress Millie Jackson, Keisha began singing professionally at age 15 as a background vocalist for her mother. She later went on to record 2 albums with Sony Records. In the background She began her vocal coaching agency, One Voice Entertainment in 2001. Keisha has contributed vocals on recordings with iconic artists like Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Josh Stone and others. She has also toured with the likes of Outkast, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and Raphael Saadiq. A certified life coach...and a well-respected industry vocal coach continues to mentor aspiring vocalists in Atlanta and across the globe.
JONATHAN MASON - ATTORNEY
Jonathan is graduate of Howard University and Georgetown University Law Center. He began his legal career in 1992 as a litigator in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina office of a large regional law firm. Jonathan began representing “talent” in entertainment-related transactions. Jonathan representation of independent record labels, music producers, songwriters, production companies, concert promoters, visual artists, and fashion models. Jonathan's practice also includes entertainment-related litigation, including royalty and commission disputes, copyright infringement, and trademark infringement matters.
Jonathan is graduate of Howard University and Georgetown University Law Center. He began his legal career in 1992 as a litigator in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina office of a large regional law firm. Jonathan began representing “talent” in entertainment-related transactions. Jonathan representation of independent record labels, music producers, songwriters, production companies, concert promoters, visual artists, and fashion models. Jonathan's practice also includes entertainment-related litigation, including royalty and commission disputes, copyright infringement, and trademark infringement matters.
Allen Johnston, The Music Specialist
More than three decades of progressive experience in all aspects of music product development, licensing, sales, promotion and distribution for national and international markets.
The Music Specialist develops Record Label structures and creates Publishing houses plus he has total knowledge of contracts and contract negotiations. Complete proficiency of record label operations software. The Music Specialists knowledge runs the gamut from Accounting packages, Distribution packages, Sales and Inventory Control, Accounts receivable and Accounts payable
He creates International Marketing, sub-publishing, International licensing and royalty collection for entertainment products, and now have a distributor placing albums within major digital distribution companies worldwide.
More than three decades of progressive experience in all aspects of music product development, licensing, sales, promotion and distribution for national and international markets.
The Music Specialist develops Record Label structures and creates Publishing houses plus he has total knowledge of contracts and contract negotiations. Complete proficiency of record label operations software. The Music Specialists knowledge runs the gamut from Accounting packages, Distribution packages, Sales and Inventory Control, Accounts receivable and Accounts payable
He creates International Marketing, sub-publishing, International licensing and royalty collection for entertainment products, and now have a distributor placing albums within major digital distribution companies worldwide.
Gaye Adegbalola
Blues Music Award winner (formerly called the W. C. Handy Award) and a founding member of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women (1984-2009), plays guitar, harmonica and is a composer. She has recorded 10 CDs on Alligator Records and has toured widely throughout the U.S. and internationally. A former Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Gaye is also in demand for workshops, lectures and motivational public speaking.
Bobby Rush...2017 GRAMMY winning blues legend
multiple Jus’ Blues Music Foundation Award Recipient, Educator, Speaker, Blues Hall of Famer, 12x Blues Music Award winner, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush, which spanned his entire career. Rush co-starred in the 2014 documentary Take Me to the River alongside Terrence Howard, Snoop Dogg, and Mavis Staples.
multiple Jus’ Blues Music Foundation Award Recipient, Educator, Speaker, Blues Hall of Famer, 12x Blues Music Award winner, B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush, which spanned his entire career. Rush co-starred in the 2014 documentary Take Me to the River alongside Terrence Howard, Snoop Dogg, and Mavis Staples.
PERFORMING EDUCATORS
Vasti Jackson
World renowned guitarist, and vocalist, Mississippi living blues legend, Cultural ambassador, 2012 Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, and 2015 Albert King Lifetime Guitar Award recipient, Vasti Jackson is a powerful force in the world of music! With more than forty-years as a professional musician. As an artist, Vasti is known for sweat-drenched, soul-ripping live performances marked by some of the most stunning and innovative guitar playing today.
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Damion Kereem Pearson, aka ‘Yella P’
a multifaceted artist from Memphis creating a sound rooted in the Delta blues with shades of soul, gospel, and hip-hop. Mostly self-taught, Damion began playing harmonica at age 13, saving up his lunch money for a month to purchase the instrument. Adding to his arsenal, Damion later learned to play the guitar, saxophone, trombone, and piano. He got his start on Beale Street playing with ‘Big’ Jerry Parnell. Damion Kereem Pearson, aka ‘Yella P is a current Black Traditional Music Practitioner! |
Tony Coleman
Tony can attest to playing drums with B.B. King, Otis Clay, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Albert Collins, Etta James, James Cotton, Z.Z. Hill, O.V. Wright, Buddy Guy, and many more. Tony continues to write songs for various Blues artists, in addition he has written jingles for Northwest Airlines and Calloway Golf Company; he's also featured in a television commercial for Calloway Golf introducing the Odyssey White Hot Putter. Tony is most at home when he is behind a drum set playing the blues.
Tony can attest to playing drums with B.B. King, Otis Clay, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Albert Collins, Etta James, James Cotton, Z.Z. Hill, O.V. Wright, Buddy Guy, and many more. Tony continues to write songs for various Blues artists, in addition he has written jingles for Northwest Airlines and Calloway Golf Company; he's also featured in a television commercial for Calloway Golf introducing the Odyssey White Hot Putter. Tony is most at home when he is behind a drum set playing the blues.
Theodis Ealey
Bluesman from Natchez, Mississippi. Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter Producer and Entertainer… are just a few of the titles that describe the phenomenon of Theodis Ealey. His credits include a star turn as Guitar Man in the theatrical production of Spunk, which is based on works by Zora Neale Hurston. He also appeared on television in the movies Miss Evers' Boys on HBO and A Kiss to Die For on NBC. In addition, he was featured on Ghetto Mafia's On da Grind CD. He toured the world with his band and is a top billing artist on the Chitlin' Circuit.
CARLETT MARTIN
Born and raised in Mobile, AL, Carlett is a graduate of Alabama State University (ASU). She’s been in the music industry since the early ‘90s. In 1994, Carlett was signed to Mercury Records as part of a girl group, Female. Her real strength came though, through writing songs for various other music artists She’s also written music for television and film, as well as working as a vocal coach. Artists who have experienced her skills set include Shaq, Paula Abdul, KRS-1, Usher, Kid Rock, Christina Aguilera, David Archuleta, Hilary and Haley Duff, and many others
Born and raised in Mobile, AL, Carlett is a graduate of Alabama State University (ASU). She’s been in the music industry since the early ‘90s. In 1994, Carlett was signed to Mercury Records as part of a girl group, Female. Her real strength came though, through writing songs for various other music artists She’s also written music for television and film, as well as working as a vocal coach. Artists who have experienced her skills set include Shaq, Paula Abdul, KRS-1, Usher, Kid Rock, Christina Aguilera, David Archuleta, Hilary and Haley Duff, and many others
Toni Green
Born in Memphis and began her career as a background singer with both Isaac Hayes, Luther Ingram, Millie Jackson, The Bar-Kays, Dennis Edwards and others. In 1998 she recorded her first LP as a solo artist with Quinton Claunch's Soultrax imprint. "Mixed Emotions" was steeped in the Memphis soul sound and remains her best full length to date. In 2009 she released a 2-song EP featuring some of the last production work by the legendary Willie Mitchell.
Born in Memphis and began her career as a background singer with both Isaac Hayes, Luther Ingram, Millie Jackson, The Bar-Kays, Dennis Edwards and others. In 1998 she recorded her first LP as a solo artist with Quinton Claunch's Soultrax imprint. "Mixed Emotions" was steeped in the Memphis soul sound and remains her best full length to date. In 2009 she released a 2-song EP featuring some of the last production work by the legendary Willie Mitchell.
Gareth Hunter
A musician, song-writer, composer, producer and philanthropist. Prior to his first composing contract at age 19 with H&H Records (a branch of A&M Music), Gareth was known to many as a child prodigy. He began playing percussion instruments in his father’s band at age three. By age four he competed in his first national competition in Denver, Colorado, placing third amongst adult competitors. He has performed and worked with Clarence Carter, Bobby Womack, Bobby Byrd, Anthony Malvo.
A musician, song-writer, composer, producer and philanthropist. Prior to his first composing contract at age 19 with H&H Records (a branch of A&M Music), Gareth was known to many as a child prodigy. He began playing percussion instruments in his father’s band at age three. By age four he competed in his first national competition in Denver, Colorado, placing third amongst adult competitors. He has performed and worked with Clarence Carter, Bobby Womack, Bobby Byrd, Anthony Malvo.
Domonique Mitchell
More than 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Domonique has been an instructor for his entertainment music bootcamp for over 10 years. Domonique’s bootcamp is all about music artists being mentally and physically fit for success in the music industry.
