“It’s been a challenging year for all of us, that is why I am so excited to announce this year’s Mulberry Music Festival, offered in-person and virtually. I believe this year’s festival, with a focus on the blues – an expressive genre that comes from deep within and brings relief, comfort, and joy when released in song – is the perfect vehicle to help us transition from the darkness of 2020 to the light I hope we all feel in 2021.”
-Tuajuanda C. Jordan, President of St. Mary’s College
St. Mary’s College of Maryland presents the Mulberry Music Festival: The Blues, with Mistress of Ceremonies Carly Harvey ’07 and featuring the Josh Riley Band, the Kelly Bell Band, and headlined by The Nighthawks, on Friday, June 18, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the College’s Townhouse Green. The Townhouse Green opens at 4 pm
The event is free of charge and open to the public.
Check back here for rolling updates.
Mistress of Ceremonies
Named “D.C.’s Queen of the Blues” by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio, Carly Harvey ’07 was featured in Big City Blues magazine in 2018 as one of the youngest blues artists to watch. In 2021, she won the Wammie Award for Best Blues Artist. Her EP “Kiss & Ride, Vol. 1” (2019) is available through Apple music.
The Bands
The Josh Riley Band
Based out of Southern Maryland, The Josh Riley Band delivers a unique twist on the blues genre. Everyone in the band comes from a different musical background, from blues, to jazz, go-go, and pop-rock. The band met by playing in various groups together, mostly in churches, and have teamed up to create a one of a kind sound. Led by Josh Riley (vocals, rhythm guitar), the band also includes Alex “Bizz” Bizzarro (lead guitar), Elwood “Wood” Jones (bass), and CJ Dickerson (drums).
Kelly Bell Band
Originally formed as the back-up band for rock and roll pioneer, Bo Diddley, the Kelly Bell Band has been touring the world ever since, entertaining fans in Japan, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cuba, Germany and more. The band has won two prestigious Maryland Music Awards, including voted “Best Blues Band” in the Mid-Atlantic Region (12 years in a row), and was recently named “Best Band” by Baltimore Style magazine. Their debut album, “Phat Blues Music” remains one of the best-selling releases in Mid-Atlantic region history. The band is fronted by Kelly Bell, known as “The Bluesman,” who is joined by vocalist Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge, Ryan Fowler and Eric Robinson (guitar), Frankie Hernandez (bass), John Robert Buell (drums) and Dane Paul Russell (harmonica).
The Nighthawks
Headlining the festival are The Nighthawks. When Mark Stutso (drums, vocals) joined The Nighthawks at the beginning of 2010, the 21st-century version of the American roots band was complete, with Paul Bell (guitar) and Johnny Castle (vocals, bass) in the band for nearly a decade, and founding father Mark Wenner (vocals, harmonica) the remaining original. The Nighthawks was an idea of Wenner’s, mixing blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly. New Year’s Eve, 2021 into 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary for the band as it has remained true to its initial mission of recreating rock-and-roll from the ever-exciting roots of American music. With some 30 recordings and local and international awards to their credit, The Nighthawks are still churning out new material while drawing on more than four decades’ worth of signature tunes for their legendary live shows.
Sponsors
Attend in Person
If you plan to attend the concert in person please review the details below.
Friday, June 18, 2021
The event is free of charge and open to the public.
- The Townhouse Green opens at 4:00 p.m.
- The concert begins at 6:00 p.m.
Location
The event will be held at St. Mary’s College, on the Townhouse Green.
Follow the signs on Route 5 to all parking for the Mulberry Music Festival.
What to Bring
Those in attendance are invited to bring:
- lawn chairs
- blankets
- food
Vendors
Local food trucks and vendors will be on site.
- Grizzly Mountain
- Goud Cheese
- The Real Food Studio-Ruddy Duck
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Kona Ice
- Newtown Players
- Historic SMCM
- Yellow Door Art Studios
Vaccination Clinic
A Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccination clinic will be on site for the general public.
- 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Walk-ups will be accepted.
- Registration in advance* is advised.
- After being vaccinated, the recipient will need to wait at least 15 minutes with the clinic before returning to the festival.
- Second doses for Pfizer will be offered at Hollywood Fire Dept on 7/9/21; Johnson & Johnson has no second dose as it is a single dose vaccine
- Learn more about vaccinations.
History
The Mulberry Music Festival is the vision of President Tuajuanda C. Jordan and is held every year on the eve of Juneteenth, the day (June 19th) commemorating the emancipation of all slaves in the United States.
Originally created in 2019, the inaugural Mulberry Music Festival featured a gospel theme and featured chart-topping recording artist Jason Nelson.
This year’s festival is dedicated to Richard Brewer ’79, an SMCM employee and alumnus who recently passed away and was instrumental in planning this year’s festival.