Miscellaneous - Blues Heaven

  by Admin

published: 2 / 10 / 2013

intro

Our Website of the Month is the website of Blues Heaven, a blues museum and charity in Chicago

Marie Dixon promised her husband Willie Dixon she would keep the blues community alive in Chicago. To that end, she purchased what was once the neglected site of the legendary Chess Records and turned it into an educational museum that draws both international tourists and local school children. Located on the near south side of Chicago, 2120 S. Michigan Avenue (the Stones even penned a song about the locale), the Blues Heaven Foundation is a unique cultural treasure and much information about their mission can be gleaned from their website at www.bluesheaven.com Willie once said, "The blues are the roots, the rest are the fruits." A talented musician and composer of more than 500 songs, Dixon's hits, just during his time at Chess Records, include 'Hoochie Coochie Man' for Muddy Waters; 'Spoonful' for Howling Wolf, 'Wang Dang Doodle' for Koko Taylor and 'My Babe' for Little Walter. He played stomping stand up bass and provided arrangements for Chuck Berry, Waters, Wolf, Little Walters and Sonny Boy Williamson II. The foundation hopes to support and nurture future talent. In their own words, their "mission is to help artists and musicians obtain what is rightfully theirs, and to educate both adults and children on the history of the Blues and the business of music." To that end, they annually offer: The Muddy Waters Scholarship and Willie Dixon Scholarship to individuals who demonstrate financial need and/or demonstrate "scholastic achievement." Frequently, they host free bands nights for the community, as well as educational clinics and "Emergency Assistance."