Jazz Great Mose Allison to Give Free Performance at Delta State

CLEVELAND, Miss. -- Composer, poet, pianist and vocalist Mose Allison will appear in concert on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Jobe Hall on the Delta State campus. The concert, titled “DSU Welcomes Mose Allison Home,” is free and open to the public.

Born in Tallahatchie County where he was influenced by the bluesman that lived and performed on his father’s farm, Allison has long lived in New York City. He has been a major influence on musicians over the last 50 years and has been touring for at least that long. His songs have been recorded by, among others, Van Morrison, the Rolling Stones, Diana Krall, John Mayall (with Eric Clapton) and Elvis Costello. His singular style, a unique blending of jazz and blues, and his profound lyrical wit mark him as a true American original. Paul Bernays of Artisan Pictures in the United Kingdom presented an hour-long documentary about his career, titled “Ever Since I Stole the Blues.”

Allison will have a busy schedule when he comes home to Mississippi. After his performance at Delta State, he will be honored in Jackson, where the Mississippi Arts Commission will present him with a Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday, February 16, at 1:00 p.m. in Wells Memorial United Methodist Church. The following day, he will be present at the Allison Mercantile Store in Tippo at 1:30 p.m. when the Mississippi Blues Commission unveils a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail in his honor. Both the Governor’s Awards and the Mississippi Blues Trail unveiling are free and open to the public.

Immediately following the unveiling ceremony all are invited to the CARE building in Charleston for a reception and short program presented by CARE. Allison’s performance at Delta State is made possible by funding from the Delta State Foundation, Delta Center for Culture and Learning, the Bologna Performing Arts Center, the Tri-State Education Foundation, the Delta State College of Arts and Sciences, and the Mississippi Arts Commission.

For additional information, visit Delta State's website.