PHOTO: annrabson.com
Despite worldwide recognition as a distinguished and award-winning musician, Ann Rabson sees herself as simply the vehicle for her art. Seamlessly blending voice, guitar and piano, Ann delivers her music, the blues, in a pure form that delights audiences everywhere.
Ann was first touched by the blues at age four when she heard Big Bill Broonzy on the radio. Ann says, “His music spoke to me; my world went from black-and-white to color.” Little did Ann know that that three-minute experience would lay the foundation for her adult life. Now in her fourth decade as an internationally acclaimed songwriter, recording artist and performer, Ann creates music that speaks to and entertains people all over the world.
A skillful and witty writer, Ann embraces topics of universal appeal. Ann writes about lost love, unconditional love, and when it might be time to just move on from a one-sided love.
Ann Rabson sings in a distinctive contralto voice. Her smoky, gritty delivery draws from a wide vocabulary of bluesy bends, squeals, and sensual whispers to match the story she is telling.
Ann still plays the first instrument she touched as a child—a guitar found in her father’s attic. Attracted to the Piedmont style of guitar picking, Ann created a unique and ear-catching sound all her own. At age thirty five, Ann decided to learn the piano. Now honored as a member of the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame and praised as having the “best left hand in the blues,” Ann brings the historic blues, boogie-woogie, and barrelhouse styles front and center. Her ability to play challenging left- and right-hand melodies while singing is nothing short of magical! Downbeat magazine says Ann plays “with staggering authority.”
In 2008 Ann was nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly W.C. Handy Award) as Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. She has been nominated eight times for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. Her first solo album, Music Makin’ Mama, was nominated as Album of the Year in both the Traditional Blues and Acoustic Blues categories, and her composition Elevator Man was nominated as Song of the Year. Her solo recordings also include Struttin’ My Stuff and In A Family Way.
Ann has recorded eight projects with the widely popular group Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women, which she co-founded in 1984, and she has also recorded with numerous other artists.
An Ann Rabson concert is like an intimate family gathering, regardless of the size of the audience. Her relaxed and unassuming demeanor sets the stage perfectly for her earthy and unvarnished performance. Presenting her own music and that of blues pioneers such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Leroy Carr, Tampa Red, and Big Bill Broonzy, Ann takes the audience on an unrestrained musical journey. The New York Blues and Jazz Society says, “Ann has it all, the artful use of double entendres, a salty sense of humor, truly imaginative piano and guitar work.”
In 2008 Ann Rabson was nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly W.C. Handy Award)as Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. She has been nominated eight times asTraditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. Her first solo album, Music Makin’ Mama, was nominated as Album of the Year in both the Traditional Blues and Acoustic Blues categories, and her composition Elevator Man was nominated as Song of the Year. She is the Queen of Honky Tonk blues piano & her guitar fingerpicking style is stellar, as is her rich, sultry voice!
Monday, February 15th, 8:15PM Tickets $15.00
Slates offers a full menu on these nights along with fine
desserts & drinks – from 5:30pm to 8pm
or just come enjoy the music!
For reservations call 622-9575
169 Water Street, Hallowell
