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2022 "Blues in the Schools" Highlights As we all came back to some semblance of normalcy after over two years of pandemic living, the BITS program gained it's mojo back. ~During lockdown and remote learning, we produced three excellent one-hour video programs for use in the classroom via ZOOM while kids were working with their teachers. Thank you to Mindy Giles/Swell Productions, Eric Bianchi/Bianchi Sound and John Green at the Side Door for producing these; and especially the Lisa Phenix Band, Ross Hammond and The Kyle Rowland All-Stars for teaching and performing. ~Instrument donations and financial donations rolled in. Thank you to the legendary Lee Oskar, John Ellis, Tommy King, John Noxon, Charles Freiberg, Ann E. Malveaux, and especially the Porteus Family Foundation, and everyone who donated in person and online during our annual Big Day of Giving showcase event in May. ~In November, we presented a near sellout show/fundraiser at the Sofia with Blind Lemon Peel, The Zach Waters Band, Danny Sandoval and his Amigos, the BITS All- Stars, led by Kyle Rowland and special guest, Sacramento's own "Godfather of the Blues," Mick Martin. BLP's All-Star line-up featured some of NorCal’s best, including Steve Dunne-music director from Oakland's renowned Cold Blood, Ashwut Roderiguez on guitar, Rich Forman on the keys, SBS Hall of Fame member AJ Joyce on bass & Grammy winner Jeff Minnieweather on the skins, a first-rate two-piece horn section- Danny Sandoval & Dave Johnson (Mick Martin’s Big Blues Band), plus singer Tessie Sell with Eliza Deed and Teneisha Parker providing a gospel backline. The band tears it up with a wide selection of feels, tempos, keys, and lyric content. Extraordinary guests lent their talents to the BITS cause include blues rockers, The Zach Waters Band; Kyle Rowland, a master of the Mississippi Saxophone and longtime advocate & contributor to the Blues in the Schools program, who led the stellar BITS alumni band—Waters on guitar, 20-year-old singer/drummer Amaya Levels, one of the most multifaceted artists on the local scene, fellow BITS graduate and keyboard whiz Chris Castles, and West Campus BITS grad, and Sergio Zazueta on bass. Area sax phenom Danny Sandoval and His Amigos brought funk, R&B and soul to the powerful line-up. A silent auction and raffles featured a Martin 000XE Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar and other items too cool for school, with all proceeds going to BITS & our sister organization in the Bay Area, The John L:ee Hooker Foundation. 2023 is on target!! So far in the 2022-2023 school year, we have done Assembly Presentations for the Natomas Home School Alliance, John Reith Elementary, Taylor Street Elementary, and Cordova Meadows Elementary School. We will be at Franklin Elementary School on February 23, 2023 and back to Taylor Street Elementary on April 19, 2023. Jimmy Pailer will be teaching a class for Pacific Elementary with teacher Stephanie Lee once a week from now until the summer vacation begins. Lew Fratis will be teaching our afterschool program at West Campus with teacher, Brianna Fonseca weekly until our BITS Showcase on May 4 for Big Day of Giving.
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OUR MISSION
If the kid in you remembers the first spark that lit up your learning, the teacher that took extra time to encourage you, or the way you found to express yourself as an individual—then you know how much that shaped the person you became. Since 2005, The SBS Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program has served over 56,000 students. Our nationally-recognized program is the main reason we won the coveted 2015 "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. BITS partners with teachers, diverse musician educators (58% are professionals of color) and fellow non-profits (Crocker Museum: “Block by Block”, California Stages) to foster diversity, address economic disparity and increase cultural connection. BITS programs are in multiple districts and neighborhoods, including Oak Park, Midtown, Del Paso Blvd., Colonial Heights, West Sacramento, Haggin and Folsom, CA. We also seek those most in need (Sacramento Receiving Home, WIND Youth Center, Sacramento Juvenile Hall).
If the kid in you remembers the first spark that lit up your learning, the teacher that took extra time to encourage you, or the way you found to express yourself as an individual—then you know how much that shaped the person you became. Since 2005, The SBS Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program has served over 56,000 students. Our nationally-recognized program is the main reason we won the coveted 2015 "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. BITS partners with teachers, diverse musician educators (58% are professionals of color) and fellow non-profits (Crocker Museum: “Block by Block”, California Stages) to foster diversity, address economic disparity and increase cultural connection. BITS programs are in multiple districts and neighborhoods, including Oak Park, Midtown, Del Paso Blvd., Colonial Heights, West Sacramento, Haggin and Folsom, CA. We also seek those most in need (Sacramento Receiving Home, WIND Youth Center, Sacramento Juvenile Hall).
What We Do:The SBS Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program teaches students (K-12) lasting life skills by integrating music education with creative writing, math, African-American history, geography and sociology. Specifically,
We have received many donations during and after Covid. We are always open to accepting gear and cash. |
To donate to Blues In The Schools please click Support US
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We contribute to Sacramento's Creative Economy by creating positive social and economic impacts. Socially, BITS inspires individual creative expression and encourages the building of self-identity, empathy, confidence, and emotional intelligence. This breaks down racial barriers and encourages cultural diversity dialogue.
Economically, in only four years, BITS has hired 300+ professional area musicians from diverse backgrounds. BITS builds musicians’ education skills, teaching in many Title-1 elementary schools. By selling tickets to our fundraising events where teachers, families and blues fans can attend together, we bring revenue to neighborhood venues, restaurants, and other businesses. Studies show that for every $1 spent, an additional $12 is generated.
Most importantly, BITS improves student lives. Ashley S. said it best: “You made me want to live again… I felt so sad my mom died… Your music made me feel like a normal person. I forgot for a while and felt like dancing and singing. Thank you, wonderful bluesmen.”
Economically, in only four years, BITS has hired 300+ professional area musicians from diverse backgrounds. BITS builds musicians’ education skills, teaching in many Title-1 elementary schools. By selling tickets to our fundraising events where teachers, families and blues fans can attend together, we bring revenue to neighborhood venues, restaurants, and other businesses. Studies show that for every $1 spent, an additional $12 is generated.
Most importantly, BITS improves student lives. Ashley S. said it best: “You made me want to live again… I felt so sad my mom died… Your music made me feel like a normal person. I forgot for a while and felt like dancing and singing. Thank you, wonderful bluesmen.”
Who We Serve:
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BITS has served over 56,000 students since 2005. As a Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child Arts Provider with the Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture (SOAC), and through our High School programs, BITS brings relevant arts and cultural experiences to Sacramento students. Our annual Student Showcase brings schools and communities together to celebrate Blues music education, creating an art experience which nourishes identity, self-esteem and cultural connection. Since 2016, BITS has hosted assemblies at area K-8 schools in 16 zip codes, many are Title 1 schools. 68% are from low-income families. BITS has empowered over 4,000 female students. BITS has presented at Sacramento’s Children’s Receiving Home, WIND Youth Center and Juvenile Hall. BITS after school programs run at two Title 1 high schools; Rosemont and West Campus. Our “Out of the Box Festival” featured multiple youth development organizations. We promote on public radio, listener-supported community radio and free neighborhood publications, and via social media. As the great blues poet Willie Dixon said, “The Blues is the roots, the rest is the fruits.” Though often joyous, Blues rose from the suffering of enslaved people
and profound poverty. Thru this uniquely American art form, Blues, students can rise up through song, writing, musical expression, and cultural leadership. |
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Blues in the Schools Supporters & Sponsors
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