The Black Box Theatre in the Indian Head Center for the Arts welcomes ...
Wednesday Evening Blues Jam Sessions

Richard "Mr. Bones" Thomas 1922 – 2002

July 30th, 7 – 9 PM Wednesday Evening Only! Don't miss the fun! The Black Box Theatre is proud to present a Special BBQ & Blues Jam A Tribute To Richard “Mr. Bones” Thomas Mike learned to play bones from "Mr. Bones" Purchase tickets by clicking here Or call 800-494-8497 to reserve. $15 with a reservation, $18 at the door. Musicians are highly encouraged to sign up to join in.

Born in Pomonky, MD on July 30, 1922, Mr. Bones was a fixture in the Washington music scene for at least seven decades. He developed an interest in the bones at the age of six, after seeing a vaudeville performance by Sammy Davis Jr. He crafted his first set of bones from a cigar box. He then began fashioning them from wood and finally settled upon using 6- to 7-inch beef rib bones -- a process that takes approximately nine months.
During World War II, he was drafted into the Army and was a member of the famous Red Ball Express. During the war, he earned four Battle Stars. After the war, he worked a series of jobs in both the private and public sector until his retirement. Mr. Bones met Archie Edwards in 1989 at the recording of Blues and Bones. After making the recording, they performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, and in 1997, they performed at the St. Louis Blues Festival.

His percussion on the bones -- which sounds similar to castanets and tap drums -- was compatible with a wide range of musical genres, including blues, jazz, folk, and Latin. He can be heard on Blues and Bones with Archie Edwards; he also recorded with Michael Roach on the CDs “Ain't Got No Home” and “The Blinds of Life.”

His amazing talent on the bones and his winning personality made Mr. Bones a crowd favorite when he performed with members of the Barbershop. He was a hit at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Bull Durham Blues Festival, Blues in the Burg (where he was a featured performer), the DC Blues Society Festival, and other local festivals. He also performed community service benefit shows at hospitals, schools, and civic events.

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Ongoing Jam Session with Blues musician Michel "Mike" Baytop

Time: Wed 7 pm to 9 pm (check calendar)

Ticket Cost: $5 at the door only

If you are a musician, come jam with Mike...Or
Just come and enjoy the acoustic jam session.

Mike Baytop is President of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation. Mike was born in Washington, DC in 1948, where he lived most of his life. His father introduced him to music when he gave him a harmonica. Later in life, he became truly interested in playing the blues he heard as he was growing up. Mike's harmonica sound is influenced by Charlie Sayles, Phil Wiggins and James Cotton. His guitar playing is influenced by Mississippi John Hurt, Larry Johnson, Jerry Ricks -- and by Archie Edwards, under whom he studied for many years. He learned to play bones from Richard "Mr. Bones" Thomas.

In demand as a performer, Mike has played at the Bull Durham Blues Festival, Blues in the Burg Festival, DC Blues Society Festival, the Smithsonian National Folklife Festival, and the Folk Festival at Ferrum College. He participated in the opening of the John Hurt Museum in Avalon, Mississippi. In 1998, Mike he played the role of the Bluesman in the play "I Am A Man." He also accompanies poet Theresa Davis on the harmonica during her poetry readings.

Click here to hear Mike perform "Special Agent" with Mr. Bones and Steve Levine.

Click here to see Blues musicians Rick Franklin and Mike Baytop opened the Summer 2007 Eastern Market Music Series on YouTube.

Seating is limited. Pay at the door only $5, audience and musicians

Please note that we have preempted some performances of the Blues Jam Sessions for the Stageworks Festival and the CSM Twilight Music Series.
Please check this handy calendar for dates before planning your evening. We have also listed CSM and Stageworks events for the nights there is no Blues Jam.

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Indian Head Center for the Arts, PO Box 1098, Indian Head, MD 20640 301-743-3040 www.indianheadblackbox.org