Ep. 05 Gaye Adegbalola, The Griot of the Blues

AhSa-Ti Nu meets with composer, guitarist and vocalist Gaye Adegbalola. Best known musically as a founding member of Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women (1984 – 2009). The group recorded exclusively with Alligator Records. Additionally, she has 6 recordings on her own label, Hot Toddy Music (Todd is her family name). More importantly she is the proud mother of son, Juno Lumumba Kahlil.

A true griot of our time through both her music and just easy conversation. In addition to being a queer black woman of color artist she is also a powerful activist, as she sat-in, picketed and protested against racism and segregation. In her songwriting she tries to provide a voice for those who have been marginalized by society. By maintaining the blues tradition, she sees herself as a contemporary griot – keeping her history alive, delivering messages of empowerment, ministering to the heartbroken, and finding joy in the mundane. Her most recent CD released in January, 2019, is called “The Griot” and has received rave reviews.

Please be sure to follow her on her website, social media and purchase her music!

www.adegbalola.com

Twitter: @gayeblueswoman

Facebook:@GayeAdegbalolaMusician