Adams, ‘Bluz U Can Use’ headline annual RIRBPS festival

Event takes place Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Cape Verdean Progressive Club

By Mike Rego
Posted 8/10/17

EAST PROVIDENCE — City resident Tish Adams and her cohorts in “Bluz U Can Use” perform their jazz-based stylings as the feature band on the bill for the Ninth Annual R&B Heritage Month …

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Adams, ‘Bluz U Can Use’ headline annual RIRBPS festival

Event takes place Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Cape Verdean Progressive Club

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — City resident Tish Adams and her cohorts in “Bluz U Can Use” perform their jazz-based stylings as the feature band on the bill for the Ninth Annual R&B Heritage Month Festival on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Cape Verdean Progressive Club, 329 Grovesnor Ave.

The show is a major fundraiser for the Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society and benefits the purchase of instruments for the RIRBPS children’s musician program as well as the East Providence Mohawks youth organization, which includes an arts and music element to go along with its sports offerings.

“People are going to get a great night of entertainment and get to help the East Providence Mohawks and the RIRBPS instrument program for children while watching me and my band play,” Ms. Adams said of the evening.

The night includes dancing and raffles as well as a cash bar and kitchen. Tickets are $10 at the door or can be purchased in advance by calling 401-461-0012 or 906-361-3955. For more information visit bluespreservationsociety.org or email rirbps@gmail.com.  

For Ms. Adams, who has lived in East Providence for six years, the benefit is a chance for her to ply her craft in city, which unfortunately has become a rare occurrence. Since last year’s closing of Bovi’s Tavern, renowned for showcasing area jazz artists, few venues in city have been accommodating to the stylings of Ms. Adams and the “Bluz.” So when offered the chance to perform at the annual RIRBPS fest, she and her mates of some 25 years jumped at the chance.

“We’ve been together on and off since we had a regular Monday night gig in Newport at the Pineapple Pub in the early ‘90s,” Ms. Adams said of the origins of “Bluz U Can Use.” “We dissolved for a time, but some of us worked together at different times. Then about four years, we got back together and realized we missed working with each other, and we’ve been together ever since.”

The six-piece plays a mix of blues, soul, R&B and jazz in what Ms. Adams describes as “high energy and danceable" style.

"It’s tons of fun," she added.

Ms. Adams, who hosts a weekly radio show “Vocalists and Localists” focused on the jazz scene Thursdays from 8-10 a.m. on WRIU, hopes her band’s appearance at the RIRBPS fest sparks greater interest in the musical genre locally.

She and the “Bluz” have performed at various venues locally throughout the years, though not as regularly as they wish at the moment.

“I’ve done some things at the Weaver Library, but I’d like to do more in the East Bay for sure,” Ms. Adams added. “The places around here seem to book bands more on the rock side of blues. But I’ll keep being a pest, sort of keep introducing people to the jazz side with things like this benefit and my radio show.”

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.