Legendary bluesman to be celebrated in Jackson. See when and where
Jesse “Guitar” Robinson, one of Mississippi’s most legendary bluesmen, turns 80 this month and fans are invited to celebrate the milestone this Thursday at Hal and Mal’s.
Robinson’s “80th Birthday Blues Bash and Benefit” is being sponsored by WellsFest CARES, a program operated by Jackson’s Wells United Methodist Church. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the party will continue until 9 p.m.
Born in Benton, Mississippi in 1944 and raised in Mileston near the Delta town of Tchula, Robinson first picked up the guitar at age 6. Over the years he has worked with such diverse musicians as B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, Little Milton, Bonnie Raitt, Gary Clark, Junior Wells, Freddie King, Magic Sam, Cassandra Wilson, Duke Huddleston, Jimmy King, and Sam Myers.
In 2008 he was the recipient of The King Mose Memorial Award at the Jackson Music Awards, and in 2016 was named as front man for the B.B. King Blues Band (following King’s death at age 89 in May of 2015).
“I think they were trying to find somebody from the Delta, and I think I’m probably the last one left from that era,” Robinson told the Clarion Ledger at the time, adding, “That’s kinda scary.”
Event organizer Keith Ferguson said this will be the fifth concert benefit sponsored by WellsFest CARES. The program was initiated as a way to give back to musicians who have donated their time and talents to support WellsFest, an annual outdoor festival first initiated by the church some 40 years ago.
A member of Wells since 1978 and the owner of LogoStoreUSA, a promotional marketing firm, Ferguson said the Covid-19 pandemic put a lot of musicians out of work for an extended time and the church wanted to find a way to help provide a safety net for them during their time of need.
“Jesse is the real deal. He’s been part of many WellsFests including the very first one,” Ferguson said.
Joining Robinson on stage will be a lineup including Lil’ Ray Neal, Dowell T. Taylor, Johnny Hubbard, Ameen Rashied, Willie Silas, Barry Leach, Bernard Jones, Russell Welch and others.
General Admission tickets for the birthday blues bash are $20 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Hal & Mal’s, 200 S. Commerce Street in Jackson. Special reserved seating tickets will also be available and there will be a limited number of VIP reserved tables for four for $200. The VIP package includes priority seating, one Jesse CD, champagne toast, birthday cake and a photo with Jesse.
The nonprofit Community Foundation for Mississippi will be in charge of handling the financial and legal aspects of the benefit. All proceeds will benefit Jesse Robinson.
For tickets or more information you may visit WellsFestCARES.org or call Keith Ferguson at 601-201-7745.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi blues musician Jesse Robinson to be honored in Jackson