Ravinia 2025 Issue 4

ANOTE FROMMORGAN FREEMAN Hey y’all, welcome to our Symphonic Blues Experience, a unique combination of classic orchestral sounds blended with the emotion and authenticity of the blues. These two music genres couldn’t be more different. One was born in the gilded concert halls of Europe, the other in the sweltering fields of the American South. So when my partners and I set out to work on this project, we asked ourselves, “Could these divergent sounds come together? Could these talented musicians, from all walks of life, strike a resonant chord and find just the right harmony?” The answer, we believe, is a resounding yes. Born from struggle and shaped in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the blues is more than a sound, it’s proof of survival. It’s the story of people who turned hardship into something powerful, who found beauty in their sorrow, and who sang out loud when the world tried to keep them quiet. But the blues didn’t stay put. It didn’t just linger on the dusty roads or front porches of the Delta. It traveled up the river, across the country, and eventually around the world. With every stop, it left its mark, shaping jazz, rock & roll, R&B, and soul. The blues laid the foundation for so much of the music we know today, but somehow its roots are often forgotten, its storytellers left unsung. This is their story: the sound of America’s past and present, the heartbeat of a culture that refused to be forgotten. So please, sit back, relax and enjoy the Symphonic Blues Experience. TheMorgan Freeman Symphonic Blues Team: Morgan Freeman , Symphonic Blues Ambassador, narrator, and executive producer Anthony “Big A” Sherrod , guitar and vocals Jacqueline “Jaxx” Nassar , guitar and vocals Keith Johnson , guitar, harmonica, and vocals Adrienne “Lady Adrena” Ervin , vocals Mark Yacovone , keyboard Adrian “Rev Slim” Forrest , bass Lee Williams , percussion Eric Meier , executive producer Howard Stovall , production manager and executive producer Nick Talbott & Alina Scalora , producers Martin Gellner , music director Tameal Edwards , tour manager Devi Reddy & Joe Brauner , Park Avenue Artists, booking managers To our Creative Collaborators who have contributed to makeMorgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience a reality: Martin Gellner To our Music Director, whose masterful blending of the blues and the symphony orchestra make the most unlikely of musical combinations soar. Boo Mitchell and Royal Studios To our master of vibe, Boo, and his legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, TN, making the sounds of our project come fully to life. Stax Music Academy To the joyous kids of the Stax after-school music program who bring a wide smile to our faces whenever they turn up the volume. Danny Abraham To a pastor, sartorial soothsayer, and crooner extraordinaire; Danny’s love of life has made us love him even more. Willy Bearden To a great Southern storyteller, whose words make us all just want to go home to the Delta. Maude Schuyler Clay To the camera whisperer, whose images bring the wonder of the Mississippi Delta into full focus. Kelly Dachtler and Lumio Studio To our cinematic virtuoso who perfectly captures the storytelling of the Symphonic Blues Experience. Ground Zero Blues Club, Clarksdale Where it all began, the best blues club on the planet. All are welcome! To our sponsors, who work tirelessly to bring tourism and economic opportunity to the Mississippi Delta: Visit Mississippi Mississippi, often hailed as the birthplace of America’s music, offers visitors a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, from the legendary blues trails of Clarksdale to the vibrant coastal towns along the Gulf. Its deep-rooted musical traditions, his- toric landmarks, and warm Southern hospitality make it a compelling destination for travelers seeking authentic experiences. By partnering with Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Ex- perience, Mississippi proudly showcases its pro- found influence on global music and reaffirms its commitment to preserving and celebrating its unique cultural legacy. Memphis Tourism Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience is proudly supported by Memphis Tourism, the official destination marketing organization for Memphis and Shelby County. Memphis Tour- ism helps amplify the city’s rich musical heri- tage—from the blues of Beale Street to the soul of Stax—by partnering with cultural experiences that celebrate its global influence. Their support ensures that the legacy of Memphis continues to inspire audiences across the country. Learn more about the city’s music, food, and culture. Visit Clarksdale Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience is honored to partner with Visit Clarksdale, the official tourism organization for Clarksdale, Mississippi—widely recognized as the “Home of the Blues.” Clarksdale’s rich musical heritage, vibrant cultural scene, and iconic landmarks like the Delta Blues Museum and the legendary Crossroads make it a pilgrimage site for blues enthusiasts worldwide. Visit Clarksdale plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting this legacy, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the birthplace of the blues. Crossroads Economic Partnership Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experi- ence is proud to partner with the Crossroads Economic Partnership, a driving force behind Clarksdale, Mississippi’s economic revitalization and cultural preservation. As the city’s leading economic development and chamber organiza- tion, the Crossroads Economic Partnership fos- ters innovation, supports local businesses, and promotes Clarksdale’s rich musical heritage on a global stage. Their commitment to nurturing creative industries and honoring the Delta’s leg- acy makes them an ideal partner in bringing this transformative musical experience to life. RAVINIAMAGAZINE • JULY 21 – AUG. 3, 2025 72