Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

Always smiling, talking with the blues fans, throwing in a few hearty laughs and just “being plain fun,” Eden Brent gives you a memorable performance every time. It was the afternoon of the 2009 Blues Challenge in Memphis. The blues fans were swarming into the beautiful Orpheus Theater on their way to hear the top ten bands in the Blues Challenge. The attractive, petite woman sitting at the baby grand whose fingers were romping over the keys stopped many in their tracks. Her voice was getting raspier with each tune that was called out for her to play. She tossed her hair and just kept playing. She had quite a following. Rewind to the day before. Jim and I had just joined the Blues girls, Evelyn and Judy, at the King’s Palace on Beale Street to hear the Yellow Dog Records Showcase. Rich Delgrosso, Mary Flowers and Fiona Boyes were entertaining the many who had crowded into the old showplace/eatery. We soon heard, “Get Eden up here!” The call resounded around the room for Eden Brent to come up and play the keyboards. Wow! Award-winning Eden Brent took the stage…her laugh, her zing, her enthusiasm…what a show!!!

Jonnye: Eden, I understand that you are from a small town north of Greenville, MS.

You lived beside a highway that meandered through swampland, long forgotten plantations and “blink and you miss ‘em communities that deadheaded into Highway 61 (The Crossroads of the Blues). Are you still headquartered in that area despite your travels far and wide. Are you still a girl from the Mississippi Delta or are you a girl that visits the Mississippi Delta.

Eden: Yes, I lived a little north of Greenville, MS on Highway 1 that paralleled Highway 61. It was close to Scott, Mississippi. (That is home to Big Bill Brunesy.) It is also where the Mississippi flood of 1927 caused the levis to break. I love it here and I am and always will be a Delta girl. (Laughing heartily)

J: You are known for your gusty vocals and “tear ‘em up” piano chops. You have an earthy meld of jazz, blues, soul and pop. I understand that you were an apprentice with the late blues pioneer, Boogaloo Ames. He often referred to you as “Little Boogaloo.” Stories have it that you both were “soul mates.” What kind of chemistry was there between you and him that took you down the path to Boogie Woogie piano?

E: I went to the University of North Texas. I did well in my academics but was not learning to play music as effectively as I wanted. I knew of Boogaloo who had been around for years. I took lessons from Boogaloo to “just be good on my own.” The relationship between us was magical. We went from teacher and student to performing together for sixteen years. We formed a strong friendship. I am committed to preserve his style of music and “honor what he showed me to do with the music.”

J: A journalist once said that your aura was a combination of a privileged, young white woman and an aging, black man in the Mississippi Delta. Could you share why you both needed each other and enjoyed each other’s contributions to make great music?

E: Until he died, I did not realize how much that I had adored him. He helped me to laugh and dance. Our relationship was unusual. Outwardly, we had nothing in common except for the piano. We came from different parts of town but forged a life-long friendship with mutual adoration. We represented the way people really are in the Delta. We are not Hollywood versions. We “broke the superficial stereo typical views of Mississippi.” Our relationship was a “truer picture of how life really was like in the Delta.” Boogaloo had played for the wealthy social classes of people and they adored him. Many assume that those same people were not supportive of our working relationship and friendship. That is untrue. In one interview Boogaloo said that, “I love her immensely.” (At this point, her voice sounded wistful and trailed off.)

J: You and Boogaloo did a documentary in 2002 for a South African production company entitled, “Forty Days in the Delta.” Why did South Africans come to America to find someone to do the piece?

E: (in a very serious tone) Demographically, the Delta is like South Africa. We share a common history, a colonial past and political similarities.

J: In 2004, you found yourself on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. In 2005, you performed at the Presidential Inauguration with BB King and were featured on Blues Street Caravan and as an XM Blues vocalist. In 2006, you were the IBC winner in Memphis. How has the music world changed for you? Have you changed for the music?

E: (she paused and answered in a very thoughtful voice) I love jazz and pop. I was not sure where my niche was. After my first recording, I meandered. Boogaloo had died. I was learning to be me without him. In time, I was accepted into the Blues family. I started to concentrate on the Blues. All music has value and I still listen to it. I found that my market was the Blues. The Blues families welcomed my music and were warm and generous with their responsiveness. The Blues Foundation has worked hard to connect the music with the fans.

J: You are known for your spontaneity and carefree demeanor during a performance. Do you prefer a structured show or do you let the audience determine where your “magic carpet ride” will take you?

E: To maintain my authenticity, I do not have a set list. I have an idea of what to play. I change continually depending on the response. When I play solo, it is a little lonesome. When the audience becomes part of the performance, we are all part of the show.

J: Your mother, Carole Brent, wrote your acclaimed song, “Mississippi Flatland Blues.” Was that song written for you or did you feel that song was meant to be yours?

E: The song Mississippi Flatlands is a true song. The national economic recession is now becoming global. The Delta has always suffered from their loss of industry for many, many years. We notice nothing different. My mother died in 2006 while I was working on my record. It is important that I honor her memory for her influencing my life.

J: Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary Blues Foundation Awards for: 2009 Acoustic Artist of the Year and the 2009 Best Acoustic Album of the Year, “Mississippi Number One.” What was the energy like on that night, sharing the stage with Buddy Guy, BB King, Marcia Ball, KoKo Taylor and Janiva Magness?

E: It was nerve wracking. I loved being there and felt honored to be mentioned among the stellar names in the Blues world. It was like a dream come true to be in the same room and to be considered. I never imagined being this successful. It blows my mind and tickles me to pieces. I am more challenged than ever to be successful. I feel that I am now responsible to work harder as an entertainer to do something wonderful to make people happy when listening to the music.

J: Did you enjoy being a part of the Yellow Dog Showcase in Memphis?

E: Yes, indeed. Yellow Dog has wonderful artists on their label. I was tickled to be invited to be on their label. It is rare that we all have a chance to be together at once. It was a real treat. I enjoy listening to them as well as playing.

J: Any parting thoughts?

E: I hope that I am doing something folks enjoy. If not, let me know and I’ll do something different.

~ Jonnye Weber