Ainít Nothing but the Blues Players, Fans Keep Music Scene Alive in Washington by Steve King When the Washington, D.C., area is mentioned in conversation, some things immediately come to mind: national pride, heated political debates and traffic snarls. Great blues music is probably not one of them. Although the region may not exactly be in the same category as traditional blues centers, such as New Orleans, Chicago, Nashville and Austin, Washington and its suburbs do play host to a thriving, albeit modest blues scene. Every night of the week, the unmistakable style of music that first rose out of the Mississippi Delta of Southern Louisiana in the early 20th century can be heard somewhere around town, blasting out from the doorways of large music halls and small, normally quiet restaurants-turned-roadside-bars. It harkens back to nearly a century ago, when bluesmen would travel the countryside, playing for a meal, a drink or a place to sleep for the night. Usually with no more accompaniment than a beat-up acoustic guitar, these American gypsies would pick up and pass on songs they heard in their travels, singing these as well as self-composed songs often based on their own down-and-out experiences. Golden Age of D.C. Blues Over the years, the popularity of this bold and uniquely American style of music grew, and as it spread beyond the Gulf Coast region, it also expanded from African American society into the mainstream. As its commercial appeal grew, legends such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon emergedóthose who would become the forefathers of a little thing called rock ëní roll. Recently, Washington has had its own share of celebrity blues musicians, and it seems Flatfoot Sam has played with most of them at one time or another. As a former bartender at Wheatonís Tornado Alley and Bethesdaís Twist and Shoutóboth of which have since closed downóhe has seen some of the areaís most well-regarded musicians up close. ìJunior Wells, Charlie Musselwhite, Danny Gatton, Koko Taylor, the Nighthawks, the list goes on,î Sam said. ìThey all used to come into those places.î Now the leader of his own band, Flatfoot Sam and the Educated Fools, he runs the open mike at Zoo Bar at 3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, every Thursday night, also playing a full show there once a month, in addition to other gigs. ìThe sceneís not as good as it used to be. Thereís fewer clubs to play now,î he said. ìThose were great rooms, and you donít have those kinds of places anymore.î Modern Times Even if it is harder to book a gig these days, Sam said he is still encouraged that the music he loves continues to endure and that it is still relatively easy to find a club or bar where for a few dollars, a person can stroll in, find a good seat, and hear top-notch blues. One of the most successful players in the area these days is Tom Principato, well known among local blues fans as a master guitarist. A Washington native who has also lived in Boston, Pittsburgh and Austin, Principato said the capital area compares favorably with other large metropolitan areas. ìI think that Washington is better than most cities because it is a large, affluent area,î Principato said. ìAnd when you talk about the whole metro areaówe have access to Baltimore, Richmond, Annapolis and Charlottesvilleóthereís a lot of places to play.î Besides traveling the region playing shows, another way Principato reaches his fans is through his Web site, www.tomprincipato.com, a tool no early blues player could have even conceived of using. Principato acknowledged that technology is just one of the things that makes 21st-century blues different from what it was decades ago. Various styles of musicósuch as rock ëní funk, heavy metal and jazz fusionóhave also affected the sound of modern blues music. Principato thinks this is a good thing. ìThere are a lot of people who believe there is a tradition of blues that needs to be preserved and doesnít really need to be expounded on,î he said. ìThatís not really a concern for me. I love the old stuff, but Iím willing to enjoy it as something that was. But in terms of blues-based music, there will always be a place for it.î Future of Blues If people such as Chai Siribongkot have anything to say about it, there will always be places to hear blues music in the Washington area. Siribongkot owns and operates Bangkok Blues in Falls Church, Va., a Thai restaurant that also boasts some of the best live music in the area. Throughout the week, the place is alive with the sounds of bluegrass, jazz and rock ëní roll, but Siribongkot said that the blues bandsówhich usually play Fridays and Saturdaysóbring in the best crowds. Siribongkot should be able to recognize good talentóafter all, he is a long-time musician himself. And although he has lived in the United States for 25 years now, he said he first picked up rock ëní roll and the blues when he lived in Thailand. And it was his love of music that inspired him to open Bangkok Blues. ìIím very proud of it because Iíve been playing music all my life,î he said. ìI designed the place to be more than a restaurant. I said, ëLetís get the best bands in here.í I want the food to be good and the music to be good.î Although places such as Bangkok Blues, the State Theatre in Falls Church, Va., and Half Moon BBQ in Silver Spring, Md., continue to book the top acts in the area, some of the best blues music is played in a much more impromptu fashion. Throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., open mikes and blues jams provide an opportunity for amateurs and other aspiring musicians to share the stage with veteran players. At Zoo Bar, 94th Aerosquadron in College Park, Md., and Talianoís in Takoma Park, Md., just to name a few, dozens show up to sign a list and waitósometimes for hoursófor their 15 minutes of stage time. Of course, most will say there are worse ways to pass the time than sipping a drink and listening to live music. ìItís a great, great thing. Itís a blast,î Flatfoot Sam said of the Zoo Bar open mike. ìLots of people come out. Willie Hayes, Junior Wellís former drummer, showed up one night. Charlie Sayles comes out, several Nighthawks members. And thereís a lot of young guys coming out there and playing, which is great.î As new generations discover the passion and energy of this timeless music style, seasoned players such as Flatfoot Sam and Principato believe the torch will be passed on, preserving the tradition of blues music in the Washington area. ìWe want to keep it going because thereís been a lot of great players that have come out of here,î Sam said. ìBlues I think will be around forever. Itís the heart and soul of most music.î Steve King is a freelance writer in Falls Church, Va. Blues Still Kickiní at Area Jams Sundays Pro Blues Jam Sullyís Chantilly, Md. Kenny Haddaway Open Mike (acoustic) Whitlowís Arlington, Va. Charlie Sayles Hosts Blues Jam Surfside South Rose Haven, Md. Blues Jam Lasickís (1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays) College Park, Md. Mondays Open Blues Jam With Tinaís Bluz Band Talianoís (8-11 p.m.) Takoma Park, Md. All-Star Pro Jam Sullyís Chantilly, Md. Tuesdays Open Mike with Bill Kirchen Half Moon BBQ Silver Spring, Md. Wednesdays Open Mike Bangkok Blues Falls Church, Va. Blues Jam 94th Aerosquadron Restaurant College Park, Md. Thursdays DCBS Blues Jam Shark Club (alternating Thursdays) Centreville, Va. Jam with Flatfoot Sam Zoo Bar Washington, D.C. Open Mike Blues Jam Remingtonís Laurel, Md. Saturdays Archieís Barbershop Washington, D.C.