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October 4 2004 Salisbury Post Article

This is the sixth year for the Rowan Blues and Jazz festival, and once again, world renowned Piedmont blues duo and W.C. Handy Award winners Cephas and Wiggins are performing.

This festival promises to be one of the the best yet, says organizer Eleanor Qadirah.

The festival is still at its original location -- the parking lot of what is now the Great Xpectation Wellness and Fitness Center, which is now the site of the Salisbury Farmers Market.

This year, the stage will be located farther back, near the outdoor pool fence of the fitness center. That change has come about, Qadirah says, mainly because the festival is using a space that is shared by the Farmers Market.

"In past years we have provided music as a background to the OctoberTour," Qadirah says. "We now have an opportunity to have music as you shop for your produce."

Besides the headliners John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, The Joe Robinson Jazz Band will perform. Also performing will be Dr. Clyde Young and the Music Makers and the award-winning Salisbury High School Jazz Band.

Several of the groups will perform the songs of John Coltrane, who is being celebrated at this year's festival.

NPR personality Barbara Nail will serve as the festival's guest emcee.

Guests are asked to bring their own comfortable chairs and blankets.

Several of the festival's regular vendors will be returning; the festival's newest food vendor and sponsor will be Bangkok Garden Thai Restaurant, adding an international flavor to the traditional American favorites that include Pam's funnel cakes, Greg's roasted corn, L & amp;L Barbecue, Yankee Deli's sandwiches, Switzer's Turkey Legs, Sagebrush's steaks and Durrett's Ribs.

Other vendors will offer jewelry, books, soaps, candles, aprons and other items. Performing artists will sell their autographed CDs.

Another addition to the Festival Day will be a youth music education workshop held at the Rowan Public Library. The workshop will be conducted by the festival's headliners, John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, who conduct workshops all over the United States.

This workshop is being sponsored in part by grants from the Southern Arts Federation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, N.C. Arts Council and the Robertson Family Foundation.

Festival celebration will begin at 9 p.m. on Friday at Club 315 with I & amp; S Entertainment and a jam session. Musicians interested in jamming should call 704-636-2811,

The Rowan Blues and Jazz Society is grateful for the contributions from members and the business community. All contributions should always be sent directly to Rowan Blues and Jazz Society, PO Box 176, Salisbury, NC 28145.

For more information call 704-636-2811 or go online to www.rowanbluesandjazz.com

Schedule

* 1 p.m. -- Salisbury High School Jazz Band

* 2 p.m. -- J.J. Ball Blues Band

* 3 p.m. -- Dr. Clyde Young

* 4 p.m. -- I & amp; S Entertainment -- Ray Charles Tribute

* 4:45 p.m. -- M-Pact Band

* 6 p.m. -- Joe Robinson Jazz Band

* 8:15 p.m. -- Cephas and Wiggins