The Cleveland Blues Festival Comes to Playhouse Square!

The Cleveland Blues Festival featuring Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Shirley Brown, Theodis Ealey, Calvin Richardson and Lenny Williams returns to Playhouse Square on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. at the KeyBank State Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and are available at 216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org.

Jones was born in Akron, Ohio and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. It was in Birmingham where his singing career started. Jones taught himself how to write his own music, as well as arranging and producing it. His style ranges from jazz to fusion, and from gospel to blues. His first album, Sir Charles Jones, was released in 2000. Jones' next album, Love Machine, spent 57 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it peaked at number 28 in June 2002. A motorcycle accident in 2003 left Jones in a coma for several days. After a long and full recovery, he released Thank You for Holding On in 2006. Two years later, he released a compilation album, My Story, and a music DVD, Sir Charles Jones: His Life & Times - Undisputed King of Southern Soul.

About Pokey Bear:

Southern bluesman Pokey Bear injects a larger-than-life swagger into his R&B-infused bayou soul. Similar in old-school sound and spirit to Willie Clayton, the Baton Rouge party-starter is also a James Brown-influenced soul man at heart. One-third of the Louisiana Blue Brothas with Tyree Neal and Adrian Bagher (the trio issued Love on the Bayou in 2014), Pokey Bear also released the solo effort Josephine Son Pokey in 2014. The album included sensual dance tracks like "The Gingerbread Man" and "Mr. Hit It and Quit It" as well as his de facto theme song, "They Call Me Pokey." Mr. It Ain't Fair arrived in January 2016. The album featured local dancefloor hit "Good Foot" and "Shake That Money Maker" with Mystikal.

About Shirley Brown:

Shirley Brown, whose unforgettable opening rap on the million-selling "Woman to Woman," Shirley's earthy plea to "the other woman" for the return of her man, skyrocketed to the top of the soul charts in the fall of 1974, prompted the release of two chart-making "answer songs," and was nominated for a Grammy. For the Real Feeling is the title of Shirley Brown's new Stax album which features that special kind of heart-wrenching Southern soul singing she is noted for. It was produced in Memphis by David Porter (Isaac Hayes's old songwriting/ producing partner) and keyboard player/arranger Lester Snell, who has played on all three of Shirley's albums-Woman to Woman on Truth, Shirley Brown on Arista, and the brand-new one.

About Theodis Ealey:

Blues Guitarist, Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer and Entertainer......just a few of the titles that describe the phenomenon of Theodis Ealey. This Mississippi native has played guitar with such notable artists as Little Milton, Johnny Clyde Copeland, Richard "Dimples" Fields, the Blues Brothers and the 'legendary' Charles Brown. This musical journey enabled Theodis to generate a personal style based upon his love of diverse music - blues, country, soul and rock. Theodis released his fifth project entitled, "It's A Real Good Thang", continuing with the Theodis Ealey tradition of music diversity filled with pure soul. The 2004 "Stand Up In It" project was a runaway success as the #1 Single on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales Chart for 5 consecutive weeks, debuting at #5 on Billboard's Blues Album Chart and #69 on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop Charts. In 2004 he was named National Blues Artist of the Year-The Little Milton Campbell Award. In 2006, Theodis released his first full-length solo CD after three long years, "I'm The Man You Need". Now, a brand-new year brings about a more passionate side of Theodis Ealey that the fans and DJs will surely love with his new CD, "You and I, Together featuring Lacee."

About Calvin Richardson:

Whether categorized as "retro-soul," neo-soul or simply soul, the decade-plus trend of resurgent soul music has only accelerated recently. For Calvin Richardson, affectionately dubbed The Soul Prince, soul music is more than a trend or even a musical style; it is a set of values that he has been living since even before his debut release in 1999. He translates the essence of soul music into a contemporary context and consistently brings the music to the people via constant touring with a full band. In the past year he has seen his classic soul composition "There Goes My Baby," collaboration with Babyface, become one of the biggest R&B hits of the year, thanks to Charlie Wilson's great version. Calvin Richardson scored two Grammy nominations for his last album, Facts Of Life, his heartfelt tribute to one of soul music's greatest creators, Bobby Womack, an honor topped only by a personal benediction from Mr. Womack himself. His 2010 release, America's Most Wanted is a straight-forward assertion of soul music with no gimmicks-great songs beautifully sung, top-flight musicianship, much of it live in the studio, devoid of samples-that represents Calvin coming into his own as songwriter, singer and producer.

About Lenny Williams:

The ultimate soul crooner, Oakland, California native Lenny Williams possesses one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. With his rich, passionate vocal style, he is rightfully regarded as one of R & B's most influential soul men. With hits like "Cause I Love You", "So Very Hard To Go," "Lisa's Gone," and "Feelin Blue", Lenny Williams' style has transcended into the new millennium, influencing many of today's newest R & B and Pop vocalists. Lenny's solo projects have scored ten charted hits, including "Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh," "Choosing You," "You Got Me Running," "Love Hurt Me Love Healed Me," and "Midnight Girl", particularly the mega-hit "Cause I Love You", from Spark Of Love. In 1986, Lenny was invited to sing vocals on "Don't Make Me Wait For Love," a track from superstar sax man Kenny G and the song became a Top 20 Pop and R & B hit. Lenny has continued his solo career and in 2004 and 2005, Lenny and Kanye West were honored recipients of the BMI Songwriter's Award for the song "Over Night Celebrity," recorded by rapper Twista. Lenny's current single from his new CD Lenny Williams "STILL" in the Game is entitled "Still".