MUSIC

Discovery Green presents Blues and Burgers. Enjoy Houston's best in blues music with a lunchtime concert, 12 noon to 1: 30 pm. Co-sponsored by KTSU-FM.  Blues and Burgers Wednesdays at the Lake House at Discovery Green. We’ve asked the best bluesmen in Houston to play for you.

Spring 2011 Schedule:

March 16 Texas Johnny Brown -  Texas Johnny Brown is one of the legendary figures of the American blues scene. Johnny began his musical career in Houston in the mid- 1940s and toured with Bobby "Blue" Bland and Junior Parker in the 1950s and 1960s. Since returning to music full-time in 1991, Johnny has won numerous awards and played across America and internationally.

March 23 Zydeco Lady D - (pictured above) Lady “D” was born and raised in the city of Opelousas, Louisiana. In 1971, Lady “D” decided to make a transition to Houston, Texas making this her home and has been residing here ever since. With over 14 successful years of musical experience under her belt, she has gained a strong passion for playing Zydeco, the Blues and R&B. Through her countless performances, she has raised eyes brows, caught ears and even been called “The Tina Turner of Zydeco.” On this voyage, she has recorded two captivating CDs: “I Wanna Boogie” and “Endeavor.” Lady “D” has generated her own unique style through her performances. She has become known for getting out in the crowd and actively engaging her audience. With the soaring energy and unrestricted excitement of her music, she has continued to cause the youngest to the not so young to take notice bringing them to their dancing feet.

March 30 Eugene Moody & Blues Back Band

April 6 Zydeco Dots - The Zydeco Dots, more commonly referred to just as The Dots, originated in 1987. Back then Zydeco music itself was advancing in popularity and The Dots were about to do their part. Although Zydeco music was born in southern Louisiana the music had been played in the gulf coast region from the Florida panhandle to south Texas since the early 1900's. Clifton Chenier (The King of Zydeco) gave the music its name and brought Zydeco to a new level. In Houston, Texas, during the mid 80's, the music was still relatively obscure. The Dots, based in Houston, brought Zydeco to venues where the music had never been heard before. Since then, The Zydeco Dots have won numerous awards and have been voted best Zydeco band by the Houston Press.

April 13 Celebrate Discovery Green’s 3rd Birthday with Galumpha!

April 20 Texas Johnny Boy - see March 16 above.

April 27 Pee Wee Stephens & Blues For Two Band featuring Pops Stewart

May 4 Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy - Diunna Greenleaf, the Leader of Blue Mercy is a native Texan (Houston) who has a background steeped in gospel music. Influenced by the likes of Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Rosetta Thorpe, Sam Cooke, Charles Brown and her own parents Ben & Mary Ella Greenleaf (Gospel). She has developed "Diunna's style of Blues" in the same tradition as so many other great Texas blues men and women. She combines intricate patches of jazz, gospel and heartfelt soul to create a kind of blues that takes one on an emotional roller coaster ride.

May 11 Milton Hopkins Band - As the Houston Press explains it, “Milton Hopkins has played with Little Richard and Sam Cooke, among many others, spent a decade shoring up B.B. King’s licks and just happens to share a bloodline with H-Town blues Buddha Lightnin’ Hopkins (they’re cousins).”

May 18 Jabo “The Texas Prince of Zydeco” - Jabo better known as the “Texas Prince of Zydeco” was born on October 1, 1954 in Humble, Texas. He started singing and playing drums at the age of 8 and like most artists was deeply rooted in the church. As a young man he was exposed to different types and genres of music, by his early teens he was performing the Blues and later started playing Zydeco in his early thirties. He was inspired and influenced by such greats as Joe Simon, Boo Zoo Chavis; Rockin’ Sidney; Clifton Chenier; Bobby Blue Bland; B.B. King and a host of others. Undeniably, his unique style of Blues and Zydeco has made him one of the most sought after performers of today. The self proclaimed “Texas Prince of Zydeco” is among the Houston area’s most prominent and contemporary performers. A bluesman whose affection for Zydeco inspired him to fuse the two along with his own accordion sounds bluesy resulting in such an intriguing sound. In 1988 he released his first single on Maison De Soul record label and in 1990 released his first album titled “Texas Prince of Zydeco” which can still be purchased today on Amazon.com.

May 25 Rue Davis “The Man with Many Voices” - An exceptional writer, producer, recording artist and performer of Blues, R&B and Southern Soul Music for many years, Davis has bounced from label to label releasing solid Johnnie Taylor-esque soul but has yet to get the commercial breakthrough he deserves. At 2005's Jackson Music Awards he received "The International Songwriter of the Year Award as he has written many other hit songs for other recording artists.