Rhythm flows from their instruments and voices, retelling in music the stories of struggles and dreams that their grandparents forged into the blues. Even at his young age, Jarzis has performed the blues throughout Mississippi and as far away as Nashville as part of the Delta Blues Education Fund. The state Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts give children in the Mississippi Delta a chance to learn music by funding after-school blues education.
Manufacturers provide the instruments.
Mr. Johnnie has about 16 students in his classes in rural Quitman County and he travels around Mississippi giving blues lessons as part of the Blues in the Schools program. That's important in a state where less than half the elementary schools teach music classes. The most valuable lesson is being able to teach them discipline, being able to teach them love among themselves. Learning the blues is an apprenticeship that lasts two to three years. Their talents combine to form a traveling blues band.