Little Village Foundation

06/03/2026

Out tomorrow on Little Village: Young Rell, 19-year-old Mississippi phenom Harrell Davenport's full-length debut, which he'll be showcasing at the Chicago Blues Festival this weekend, starting with a set at the All-Star Harmonica Blast at Reggie's on Thursday, June 4. Then on Friday, June 5, he'll be signing CDs starting at 2 p.m. at Reckless Records' Wabash Avenue location.

On Sunday, June 7, starting at 3:30 p.m., he'll join 95-year-old bluesman Bob Stroger for a memorable set at the Chicago Blues Festival.

If you're in town, go check him out!
https://littlevillagefoundation.com/harrell-young-rell-davenport/

Harrell Davenport

05/02/2026

Marcel Smith, Harrell Davenport AND Lo Steele w/Charlie Hunter, all Little Village releases, all in this month’s Living Blues!

AVAILABLE NOW—LIVING BLUES #302!

Living Blues #302 (May/June 2026) is a special expanded 96-page issue. It features New Orleans’ own Washboard Chaz Leary on the cover. Called the “Max Roach of the Washboard,” Washboard Chaz does things with an antiquated laundry tool that shock and amaze listeners. A member of several of New Orleans’ most important roots music bands, Washboard Chaz is one of a kind.

Chicago vocal powerhouse Mzz Reese is breaking onto the scene with a sound rooted in gospel, blues, and soul. After surviving cancer and being widowed, she is ready to be heard.

At 74, Earl “Guitar” Williams is one of the last real-deal bluesmen in Alabama. Based in Bessemer, he has been playing in clubs and jukes for nearly 60 years.

California-based vocalist and guitar player Marcel Smith has worked in gospel his entire life, but he also performs as a secular artist. We explore how he walks the line between the two.

This issue’s Let It Roll! features Billie Holiday. Holiday had one of the most magical voices in all of music. And with it, she sang the blues. Her July 10, 1936, session for Vocalion features some of the best blues she ever recorded.

All of this plus LB Talks To with Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport, the latest in Blues News, and reviews including new releases from Eric Bibb, Van Morrison, and Little Freddie King, plus classic reissues from Little Walter, T-Bone Walker, and Johnny Otis.

www.livingblues.com

12/22/2025

Bidding a fond and heartfelt farewell to legendary park ranger and Little Village recording artist Betty Reid Soskin.

A celebrated storyteller and for many years the oldest African-American Park Ranger in America at The Rosie The Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond, CA, Soskin was noted for her reflections on living for nearly a century, with riveting commentary on her family’s American narrative from the Dred Scott Decision, the Civil War, Reconstruction and through to Black Lives Matter. It can all be heard on her 2019 LV album, "A Lifetime of Being Betty."

In 2015, she introduced Barack Obama for the “Christmas Tree Lighting” on national television, and Glamour Magazine recognized her among the “Women of the Year 2018.” In November 2019, Soskin performed with The Moth’s “Best Five Storytellers of the Year” event at Lincoln Center in New York City.

We are grateful to have known her and honored to help share her stories.

Betty Reid Soskin, beloved former Bay Area park ranger, has died, according to her family. She was 104. https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/betty-reid-soskin-dies-104/

09/25/2025

Marcel Smith on the Redwood Coast! You should go.

Making his first trip to Redwood Coast Music Festival we're excited to announce soul dynamo Marcel Smith with special guest Jim Pugh on Saturday Oct 4!

Whenever Marcel Smith begins to sing, he commands the attention of anyone within earshot. There’s an obviously deep musical talent at work, but there is more importantly an authenticity and sincerity that captures people’s minds. Smith is a massively talented American soul, blues, and R&B singer whose career began in gospel music, influenced by traditional gospel quartets. Combining soul, gospel and R&B, Smith’s voice is seductive and alluring, it’s the believability factor, and Smith’s got it.

He developed his commanding, soulful voice over decades of performances, first with the W.D. Gospel Singers and then with the blues and soul band, the Soul Prophets. Gospel veteran Willie Washington heard him singing in church as a 15-year-old and within a year invited him to join his band, the WD Gospel Singers, in 1994.

And while there are plenty of gospel overtones Smith includes a wide swath of musical styles as well. You hear flavorings from Aaron Neville, Sam Cooke, Ben E. King, O.V. Wright and Tyrone Davis. Smith’s music is more about a participatory journey than a simple sound experience. His sympathetic understanding of the power of the songs story combined with impassioned vocals is an intoxicating mix that sets his performances apart.

In the past few years he has released solo albums with Little Village Foundation such as Everybody Needs Love and From My Soul, showcasing his deep soul and gospel roots along with his songwriting and interpretations of other artists' work.

Welcome Marcel Smith to the Redwood Coast Music Festival!

09/01/2025

More Back Of My Truck w/Killer dobro solo by LVFBro Dashawn Hickman. Yes sir!

Steve Ray Ladson performs his original song, "Back of My Truck," at the AGT Music Room Presented by Lavazza. » Watch the latest from America's Got Talent: ht...