Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse is a not-to-be-missed festival for all lovers of jazz, soul and blues. Come and celebrate the festival's 10th anniversary this year!

Blues is the soul of Mighty Mo Rodgers. A blues, tinged with soul, carried along by tempos of formidable efficiencý, over which he happily lays, in his hoarse voice, lyrics always imbued with great humanity.

Born in East Chicago, Indiana, in 1942, Mighty Mo Rodgers studied piano from an early age, while listening to the Jazz and Blues musicians who performed in his father's club. He grew up during the heyday of Stax Records and Memphis Soul, which would remain one of his strongest influences. He formed his first band, "The Rocketeers", at high school, then a second at universitý: the "Maurice Rodgers Combo". He then swapped his student books for a single ticket to Los Angeles, where he became a studio musician and producer.

An official songwriter for Chapell Publishing and Motown, he then became involved in teaching in the tougher neighbourhoods of Los Angeles. At the same time, he resumed his studies until he obtained a master's degree in philosophy, at the end of which he defended an astounding thesis: "The Blues as Metaphysical Music - Its Musical Meaning and Ontological Foundations".

Probably no one has looked so deeply into what this art form meant to African-Americans and Humanitý as a whole. Mighty Mo Rodgers' universe is a perfect combination of melancholy, rock'n'roll, and the best of Stax or Mussel Shoals. The result is a totally personal universe that is no less unifying. Add to that his undeniable aura, and you're bound to see some captivating performances.

Musicians: Mighty Mo Rodgers, vocals, keyboard; Luca Giordano, guitar, backing vocals; Walter Monini, electric bass, backing vocals; Abramo Riti, keyboards, backing vocals; Pablo Leoni, drums, backing vocals; Luca di Giammarco, tenor saxophone; Alessandro di Bonaventura, trumpet.

Saturday 26 August 2023 at 8 pm.

Free entry.

• French