Blues SchoolHouse
Blues SchoolHouse traces the history, evolution, and impact of blues music, highlighting the role music plays in reflecting the human condition and driving social change.
Register Now Download Learning ResourcesBlues SchoolHouse traces the history, evolution, and impact of blues music, highlighting the role music plays in reflecting the human condition and driving social change.
Register Now Download Learning ResourcesBlues Schoolhouse is an interactive, live musical presentation that traces the history of the blues from its roots in African musical traditions through its emergence as an American musical form. Participants see how people use music to tell their stories, preserve their memories and create a sense of community. The program weaves major historical events narrated across an American history timeline and demonstrates how music can reflect social conditions, drive social change and how African and African American music and cultural traditions influence the music enjoyed today.
Blues SchoolHouse reaches thousands of students annually through the generous support of Music Drives Us.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Mass Cultural Council, and administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
Ayeisha Mathis is a Boston native. At the tender age of 5 she fell in love with the drums and percussion. She quickly rose to become a sought-after drummer showing extraordinary talent and a promising future in music. Due to her musical success, as a teen she was invited to join the Zildjian and Vater families as an endorsed artist. Currently, Mathis is a Professor at Berklee College of Music.
John is an accomplished musician, piano teacher, and piano technician. As part of the Boston music scene, he has been playing a variety of musical styles for 25 years. After more than a decade with the Blues SchoolHouse Band, John continues to find joy in educating young people about the history of American music.
Katani is one of the original MC’s of the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues, is the featured lead vocalist for Gospel Night at the Pops, bandleader of “Katani & the Krew,” and has been a singer/songwriter and educator for over 25 years.