Hawaii Blues Festival

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) is the core sponsor of the Hawaii Blues Festival – The Riff that Ripples Across Oceania. The Hawaii Blues Festival is a ten day, January 17–26, musical experience combining engaging presentations from elementary classrooms to university centers capped with blues concerts in lounges and nightclubs across Hawaii.

The Hawaii Blues Festival -- Hot as Kilauea Lava & Cool as Mauna Kea Snow Summit – brings Fernando Jones and My Band from Chicago to share the meaning and message of Blues music in Hawaii. Jones comes to Hawaii on his Roots, Rhythm & Rights tour honoring the values and vision of Martin Luther King Jr.

Fernando Jones, an educator and entertainer, will share the story of the blues from slavery to economic-social conditions facing America today with a focus on making positive change in our community and the power of nonviolence and freedom.  Jones, the founder of Blues Kids of America, will speak to our keiki providing an educational experience about the music woven into the fabric of America.  Jones will speak to elementary school children at Kamalii Elementary, Kaahumanu Elementary and Maui Headstart.  Jones will also speak at Seabury Hall.  Jones coordinates Blues Kids of America: Blues You Can Use in Your Schools program.  He will bring this program to our keiki on Maui and Oahu.  The first talk is at Seabury Hall School at 1:25 p.m. on 22 January.  The second and third talk with keiki is at Kamali’i Elementary School at 9:00 a.m. on 23 January and MCC Headstart at 11:00 a.m. on 23 January. The fourth talk will be at Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary at 9:30 a.m. on 25 January.

Fernando Jones will speak to courses and play free concerts for students and faculty at various University of Hawaii campuses during the ten day Roots, Rhythm & Rights tour. Fernando Jones is not only a musician but also a fellow educator at Columbia College in Chicago.  He teaches a course on The Chicago Blues Scene: Past to Preservation and serves as the Blues Ensemble Director. Jones will first speak at Kapiolani Community College on 17 January at 9:15 in Music 107 course with Professor Lina Doo.  Jones will play a concert at University of Hawaii at Manoa at noon on 18 January.  Jones will also speak at Leeward Community College Waianae branch on 18 January at 7 p.m.  in Political Science 110 course.  Jones will participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. concert at Kapiolani Bandstand following the annual march in Honolulu on 21 January.

Jones will speak and play at Maui Community College on 22 and 23 January.  Jones will play an evening concert at Maui Community College on 22 January and a noon concert at Pa’ina on 23 January.  Jones will play a concert at Windward Community College on 24 January.  The grand finale of the campus tour of Hawaii Blues Festival is University of Hawaii at Manoa Campus Center stairs at noon on 25 January.

Fernando Jones will also play concerts at the hottest nightclubs on Oahu and Maui. The premiere concert will be at Anna Banana’s in Moiliili on 19 January from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.   Jones will play at Mulligans on the Blue on Maui on 21 January from 9 p.m. – midnight.  Jones will also play Ward Rafters in Kaimuki on 26 January from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Bar 35 in downtown Honolulu on 26 January from 9 p.m. – midnight to conclude the Hawaii Blues Festival.  UHPA members will be able to attend the evening concerts at the lounges and nightclubs for free with their UHPA/NEA cards.  There will be a nominal charge ranging from $5 - $15 for other shows.  The proceeds will also benefit human rights education programs in Hawaii.

The co-sponsors are Pacific Asian Affairs Council (PAAC), United Nations Association – USA Hawaii, Amnesty International USA and Hawaii Institute for Human Rights.

For more information please contact Joshua Cooper at 542–7204 or Fernando Jones at 773 841 5262.