May 6, 2010- It's official. Ruthie Foster wins the Blues Music Award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist.

"Everybody ought to have a stone love"

So says Ruthie Foster on the opening cut of The Truth According to Ruthie Foster. And when Ruthie lays it down, you'd be well advised to listen.

"Ruthie's drawn comparisons to Ella and Aretha, but musically neither is really close," observed the Philadelphia City Paper in one such rave. "What she does have in common with Fitzgerald and Franklin is the irresistible blaze. It's impossible to look away, even close the eyes, for one second."

With roots-music producer Chris Goldsmith (Blind Boys of Alabama, Charlie Musselwhite) overseeing the proceedings, all of the essentials - the hard-edged blues of guitar icon Robben Ford (the Yellowjackets, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, countless others), the Memphis magic conjured by keyboardist Jim Dickinson (Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin) and organist Charles Hodges (Al Green, Ann Peebles), the rock-steady rhythm anchor of bassist Larry Fulcher (Taj Mahal, Los Super Seven) and drummer Rock Deadrick (Tracy Chapman, Ben Harper) - settle into their unique pocket, with trumpeter Wayne Jackson and the legendary Memphis Horns adding a distinctive coup de grace.

Visit Ruthie Foster's website.

May 21, 8pm, Centennial Hall

May 22, 5pm and 9pm, Blues Cruises

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