BECAUSE THE MUSIC MATTERS
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OUR MISSION
The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time.
Music Maker will give future generations access to their heritage through documentation and performance programs that build knowledge and appreciation of America’s musical traditions.
PROGRAMS
EDUCATION
Makes American musical heritage accessible to current and future generations through public exhibitions, youth engagement, and archival preservation.
PERFORMANCE
Supports artistic excellence through professional development, tour booking and management services.
SUSTENANCE
Provides ongoing support to artists living in chronic poverty and emergency grants to artists in crisis
What We’ve Accomplished
Musician Grants
Performances
Songs Released
Artists Supported
HEAR THE MUSIC MAKERS
Blue Muse is a musical testament to the 25 year history of the Music Maker Relief Foundation and its partner artists. The album features 21 tracks, most of which were recorded by Music Maker founder Timothy Duffy, that capture the infinite complexity of Traditional American Music
Music Maker’s exhibition programs educate and engage viewers in the cultural history of America’s music. The blues, gospel and string band traditions of the South have formed a deep aquifer of music that contemporary artists around the world draw from daily. The combination of photography and multi-media materials in each exhibit shine a light on the many unsung heroes that continue to feed these traditions in our nation and asks viewers to reflect on how poverty, geography, and age have limited the exposure of these artists, causing the widespread idea that our musical traditions have “died out”.
On view at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center | Portsmouth, VA | March 16, 2019 – June 8, 2019
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
On view at the New Orleans Museum of Art | April 25, 2019 – July 28, 2019
On view at the National Blues Museum | St. Louis, MO | March 5, 2019 – June 6, 2019
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
Blog
Diggin’: Robert Finley – Age Don’t Mean a Thing
Blue Muse by Robert Finley This is the song that started it...
Music Maker Featured on NPR Weekend Edition & in the Washington Post!
Listen to Music Maker founder and photographer Timothy Duffy along with partner...
Tour Schedule
Lakota John & Kin – Kennedy Center
at the Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C.
Time: 6:00 pm Price: No tickets required
Lakota John & Kin – Library of Congress
at the Coolidge Auditorium, Ground Floor in Washington, D.C.
Time: 12:00 pm Price: No tickets required
Como Mamas: Blues to Bop
at the Blues to Bop in Lugano, Switzerland
Time: Price:
Jake Xerxes Fussell – Campground Sessions
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 3:00 pm Price: $80
Willie Farmer – Blues Stage
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 4:10 pm Price: $80
Phil Cook live on Telluride Main Stage
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 2:40 pm Price: $85
Cookie McGee – Blues Stage
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 3:00 pm Price: $85
Como Mamas live on the Telluride Main Stage
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 11:00 am Price: $80
Como Mamas – Campground Sessions
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 2:00 pm Price: $80
Sandra Hall & Cookie McGee – Blues Stage
at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in Telluride, CO
Time: 5:30 pm Price: $80
Sister Perry at the Clay Center
at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in
Time: 2:00 pm Price: Free
MUSIC MAKER 25 PICKERS & STORYTELLERS: DOM FLEMONS, “BLIND BOY” PAXTON, JAKE XERXES FUSSELL & GAIL CAESAR
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 SOUTHERN VOICES: LONNIE HOLLEY & ALEXA ROSE
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 ZYDECO
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 NATIVE AMERICAN: PURA FÉ, CARY MORIN, DEER CLAN SINGERS, & LAKOTA JOHN & KIN
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 1:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 BLUES REVUE: COOL JOHN FERGUSON, ALABAMA SLIM, PAT “MOTHER BLUES” COHEN, PURA FÉ & CARY MORIN MUSIC DIRECTOR: TIMOTHY DUFFY
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
SHOP MUSIC MAKER
Captain Luke T-Shirt
$20.00
Etta Baker – Railroad Bill 12” Vinyl
$20.00
Ironing Board Sam: Super Spirit
$12.00
We are the Music Makers! 2-CD Set
$15.00
Captain Luke T-Shirt
$20.00
Etta Baker – Railroad Bill 12” Vinyl
$20.00
Ironing Board Sam: Super Spirit
$12.00
We are the Music Makers! 2-CD Set
$15.00
