True Blues Artist Trudy Lynn Digs Deep to Find Her Soulful Style
For Houston singer Trudy Lynn, it was her parents’ 78 rpm records that led her to find her passion for the blues. As a child, Trudy didn’t jump on the popular music trends of the time. Instead, she followed in her parent’s footsteps and adopted the blues as her life-long passion.
For almost 50 years, Trudy has been singing the blues and performing internationally, creating her iconic Trudy Lynn Blues Review. When she started her career in 1967, she was singing on stage with “Iceman” Albert Collins’ band and opened for Ike and Tina Turner. She then joined internationally-known guitar player Clarence Green and his band.
“He was the one who really molded me, and that’s when I really started my career,” Trudy said.
Trudy Lynn will take the stage as the headliner for the Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival on August 27 at The Great Lawn on the Boardwalk. Trudy and her collaborator Steve Krase, who plays the harmonica, have been working hard on preparing a great show for the people of the Jersey Shore. They’ve also been working on a new CD.
“I’m looking forward to the festival and being in that area because I’ve worked all over the world. I’ve been everywhere, but I’ve never gotten a chance to be in that area of the country,” she said, “It’s going to be a great pleasure to be there and perform.”
In December 2015 Trudy Lynn was inducted into Houston’s Music Hall of Fame, and is also commonly referred to as Houston’s “First Lady of the Blues” and “First Lady of Soul.”
“It was such an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and I feel honored to be known as the First Lady of the Blues,” she said, “But I paid my dues here in Houston, you know my name is just like a household word.”
Although she is a true blues artist, when she first started singing, she was doing it all; from rock and soul, to jazz and the blues. It wasn’t until she reached her 30s that she decided to focus on being a true blues artist. Trudy walked into the blues because it meant a lot to her. Now it’s her passion.
“It’s a lot about life, and I like telling stories and that’s what blues is. When I do a blues song, whatever song I’m doing, I really want people to feel what that moment is when I’m playing the song. I love doing that,” she said.
When she is onstage, Trudy is all natural and the truest version of herself, because when she comes out to do a show, she wants to make sure that everybody in the crowd is appreciating her and the music she has created. Even if it’s just one song, she wants the people to feel like they got what they came for.
“I’m so glad to get my flower while I’m living, that’s how I look at my accomplishments, flowers of appreciation.”
Trudy wants all the people who plan on attending the festival to be prepared because she’s going to come and blow the roof off.
“I’m going to come there and throw some blues on them,” said Trudy. “I’m just looking forward to being there and I want to invite everyone to come out and support the blues.”
The Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival is the last festival in the series and it will kick-off at noon Saturday, August 27 at The Great Lawn on the Boardwalk at Cooper Avenue in Long Branch, NJ. The festival is rain or shine and open to the public.
The festival will feature performances by other talented jazz and blues musicians including 21st century jam band Dana Gaynor and the Audrey Silver Quartet, as well as food and retail vendors and activities for the whole family!
For more information on the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival, visit http://www.jerseyshorefestival.org/.
Trudy Lynn Blues Review featuring Steve Krase will take the stage at 7:45 p.m. at the Long Branch Festival. For more information on Trudy Lynn Blues, visit http://www.trudylynnblues.com/.