Port Townsend Traditional Blues

06/07/2026

Jontavious and I are so very honored and excited to spend time with Bobby Ingano during Traditional Blues week this year! We invited him last year but he was on tour with Taj Mahal so could not join us. But THIS year...
Steel Guitar players, check out his Blue Hawaii class description:
Bobby Ingano "Hawaiian Steel (or slide) Lapsteel"
Each student is required to bring an electric Lapsteel with or without legs (6 string model), a small battery powered amp (Roland MobileCube), a bar, 2 finger picks, a thumb pick, and a jack to plug your Lapsteel into amp.
Your Lapsteel must be tuned to C6th which is the standard tuning for Lapsteel. Here's the string gauges and tuning from high to low string:
E - 15 plain
C - 17 plain
A - 20 plain
G - 26 semi-flats
E - 30 semi-flats
C - 34 semi-flats
During the workshop, Bobby will be teaching "touch and tone", how to play "backup steel" to singers, how to play "harmonics", how to set your amp for a "smooth sound", and iconic steel guitar instrumentals like "Sleepwalk", the most notable Hawaiian song "Aloha Oe' ". And if students have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Bobby plays totally by ear, so teach mainly by "FEEL".

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesTropical Swing · Bo...

04/22/2026

https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/centrum-invites-participants-to-feel-the-blues-in-their-whole-bodies/?ref=the-beacon-weekly-news-roundup-newsletter

The new Blues Dance Track teaches moves to everyone, regardless of experience level.

03/30/2026

well, "Things Done Changed" and Jerron Paxton is not able to join us at Centrum's 2026 Traditional Blues gathering, after all darn it. We are sure gonna miss him.

Listen to Jerron Paxton's "Things Done Changed," from his album of the same name. "This song represents the blues at face value and is based on lived experie...

03/20/2026

last time Eleanor Ellis was at Centrum's Blues workshop was 2018. Eleanor will be here for the 2026 gathering!!! Her sweet voice accompanied with her fine skills on guitar are a delight to hear and a remarkable honor to have opportunity to sit with knee to knee for study. A National treasure indeed. Guitarists, don't miss this opportunity.

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesTake Me Back Baby · Eleanor EllisComin' A Time℗ 2007 Patuxent MusicReleased on: 2007-10-16Auto-generated by You...

02/17/2026

join Washboard Chaz at Centrum's Traditional Blues week July 27-August 2 Washboard Domination in 2026!! Washboard Chaz!!!

02/13/2026

02/09/2026

recorded in 2019 at Fort Worden State Park on Officer's Row porch by Jamaine Campbell, before Jontavious became Artistic Director.

now here we are 2026 will be his last year as A.D. We celebrate you this year Jontavious Willis and thank you for your excellent Traditional Blues leadership.

2019 Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival.Produced by Jamaine Campbell.

01/20/2026

The artist line-up is off the hook for Centrum's Traditional Blues workshop this year AND we just added a Blues Dance track for those of you who just wanna dance.
Damon and Kelsy Lynn Stone are back and are not only going to help us musicians get a little groove into our bodies each evening but this year they are offering a full Blues Dance track! A two hour block each morning and a two hour block each afternoon. In the evening dancers are encouraged to join Blues musicians for live music and events where Blues musicians and Blues dancers unite! During the week and on the weekend dancers also attend the public performances as part of their Dance package. Get it while it's hot!

09/08/2025

Centrum Blues 2026 - SAVE THE DATES !!!
Monday, July 27 - Sunday, August 2, 2026
registration opens - Friday, January 2, 2026

Monday, July 28 – Sunday, August 3, 2025 Register Now In the depths of summer, Centrum goes deep into traditional blues. Now in its 32nd year, the Acoustic Blues workshop week continues to offer a side of the blues that popular culture does not always recognize – its roots! Immerse yourself in a...