LIHU‘E — While the “Godfather of British Blues” John Mayall may need no introduction (his Bluesbreakers band laid the foundation for such bands as Cream, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones), his opener at Sunday’s concert, Shemekia Copeland, is a
LIHU‘E — While the “Godfather of British Blues” John Mayall may need no introduction (his Bluesbreakers band laid the foundation for such bands as Cream, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones), his opener at Sunday’s concert, Shemekia Copeland, is a “blues diva” in her own right.
When Copeland released her debut album “Turn Up the Heat” 12 years ago, she made blues music aficionados take note.
“She’s fantastic. She’s got this great big voice. A true new-generation blues diva,” said Keven Rogers, owner of Mardi Gras Entertainment, which is presenting the show.
“She’s got that kind of sassy, right-in-your-face kind of style,” Rogers said. “She’s a lot of fun and she knows her audience.”
Growing up, Copeland was surrounded by music. Her father, the late American blues guitarist Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, encouraged his daughter to pursue her passion for music, and the duo started performing together.
“I always say I got a calling to do this,” Copeland said during a telephone interview. “I felt I really needed to do this, and the feeling was very strong.”
Even though Copeland is known for her powerhouse voice, on the phone the blues singer is soft-spoken and very polite. She talks about her excitement to be performing in Hawai‘i and how she’s never been to Kaua‘i.
“I wanted to go to Hawai‘i and perform because I’ve never been there before,” Copeland said. “When I found out that John Mayall, who I have loved and been friends with for a very long time, was going, I said I wanted to go.”
While some debate if blues music is dying, Copeland said it seemed like it was news to her.
“I feel while I’m doing it, it’s not going to (die),” Copeland said.
“There’s young people out here that have devoted their lives to do it, and I’m one of them.”
Copeland goes on to list artists that have influenced her, including Ruth Brown, Koko Taylor and Sam Cooke, and music she likes to draw from, including rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, country and western and world music.
Copeland has released five albums, with a sixth one, a deluxe album, scheduled to be released in January.
For her performances in Hawai‘i Copeland is performing acoustically.
While Copeland has been booked as the opening act for Mayall, Rogers sees it differently.
“I say its as good as a double bill because its two great headliners play on the stage,” Rogers said.
“And its a good combination of a couple different styles of blues.”
With 550 seats at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center, Rogers thinks there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
See Mayall (who was unavailable for an advance interview) and Copeland this Sunday at KCC.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Kaua‘i junior lifeguard program. Tickets are available online at lazarbear.com, or at Kaua‘i Music and Sound in Kapa‘a, Hanalei Music Strings and Things in Hanalei, Progressive Expressions in Koloa, Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo, Aloha -N- Paradise in Waimea and Kaua‘i Harley Davidson in Puhi.
