Blues, Jazz Will Rock the Plaza Tonight

The Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County is pleased to showcase blues, jazz and rhythm and blues performed by Frankie’s Blues Mission tonight on O'Neal Plaza.

The performance begins at 7 p.m. This special outdoor event is free and open to the general public. Listeners are reminded to bring their own chairs. Frankie’s Blues Mission will perform its unique blend of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and zydeco.

Long a fixture on Atlanta’s blues scene, the Blues Mission now includes singer-guitarist Frank “Frankie Lee” Robinson, bassist Kermit Maxwell, and drummer Alfonso Largo has been together four years.

Their first cd, “Sleepin’Dog,” has garnered raves from critics for the “emotive singing,” “Robinson’s shimmering guitar lines and his mates’ skin-tight backing,” and the “fresh sound firmly rooted in, but not bound by, local tradition.”

Native to South Georgia, vocalist and guitar player Robinson has more than 20 years of experience performing regionally with and sharing the stage with blues and gospel performers such as Detroit Junior, “Chicago” Bob Nelson, Luther “Houserocker” Johnson, Chick Willis, saxophonist Sil Austin, Robin Brown, and many others. He also performs regularly as the resident guitarist for the Providence Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Ensemble in Atlanta. Frankie, an authentic and soulful blues player, draws from many influences.

Bass guitarist Maxwell has been performing with Atlanta jazz, blues, gospel and roots music bands for more than a decade. This Atlanta native anchors the Blues Mission with his powerful and authentic rhythmic style on electric and upright bass. Drummer Largo, originally from New York where he began drumming when he was 14 years old, is a 25-year veteran former Marietta City fireman who has performed throughout the Southeast and provides the Blues Mission’s steady heartbeat. Frankie’s Blues Mission has performed in the Augusta Blues Festival, Chick Willis’ Mid-Georgia Blues Festival, and The Atlanta Montreux Festival.

These are outdoor concerts; in case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted on our web site, Facebook page & telephone.