1/14/2011 Janiva Magness, The Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ


 10 years ago today...

January 14, 2011 - Phoenix, AZ

Janiva Magness brought the Blues to the Rhythm Room.

Janiva has recorded 15 albums and was named the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year in 2009 by The Blues Foundation.  She is now a Grammy nominated Blues artist who travels the world with her music, but it really got started in Phoenix in the mid 80s when she formed her first band, The Mojomatics. 
 
The Mojomatics were popular locally, but Janiva relocated to Los Angeles in 1986 and released her debut album five years later.  If you have never heard Janiva, I recommend her favorite album of mine, "What Love Will Do," on Alligator Records.  Give it a spin.

The Rhythm Room is a small live music club specializing in Blues, although occasionally offering Americana, folk, country and rock acts.  This is the premier Blues venue in the state, run by Bob Corritore, a harp player, record producer and host of the long-running weekly radio program "Those Lowdown Blues" on KJZZ in Phoenix.

Like most stages, the Rhythm Room has struggled in the pandemic and the inability to promote shows at the club.  The locals love of the Rhythm Room became apparent when Bob announced that a Go Fund Me effort had exceeded its goal by 50%, generating $30,000 to keep creditors at bay and the lights on for now.

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