by Rhetta Akamatsu

Yesterday, June 23. was the monthly Atlanta Blues Society meeting and Jam. This month it was at MadLife in Woodstock. We packed the room, but what a stage! The sound system and lights were also impressive.

Red Sugar Blues was the host group. We don’t stint on the musical part of the meeting.  In fact, our Presidents George Klein and Carlin Smith reeled off the news in record time and got the band on stage quickly. They performed an energetic set for about an hour, with small but powerful Red Sugar herself in constant motion as she aced the vocals on every single song. She sings as sweet and hot as every great blues singer, she knows how to dress for the stage, and she has an awesome band as well. She handled songs from Beth Hart, Erra James. BB King, James Brown and especially Koko Taylor superbly.

Perhaps inspired by that great stage, Red Sugar Blues was followed by a spectacularly good jam, with various ABS members showing their skill on guitar, drums, vocals, saxophone, and harmonica.

It was, as usual, an amazing afternoon of blues and friendship, all free after the minimal membership fee. And we do this in a different club with a different group every month! What a deal! Check out the Atlanta Blues Society page and join us next month for sheer enjoyment! And keep your eyes open for Red Sugar Blues; I expect them to take Atlanta by storm!