Founded in 1979, our mission is to promote and preserve blues music as the original American art form.
We are the third oldest blues society in the United States and are celebrating our 45th year throughout 2024!
The Sacramento Blues Society understands that the arts have always been outlets to express the plight of the oppressed, and to sound the call for change. We believe that the African-American experience is the very foundation of the Blues, a uniquely American art form, and one which we celebrate and love. Music, especially the Blues, can break down racial barriers and open dialogue about cultural diversity.
We are witnessing, and are part of, a movement for social justice now. We pledge, as individuals and as a group, to work for peaceful, positive change within the community and to influence those with whom we interact to do the same. We welcome everyone to enjoy the Blues with us...in the spirit of unity, companionship and goodwill. We are all in this together
We love to connect with all aspects of the community through BLUES – involving artists, labels, radio, students, schools, venues, promoters and FANS. Membership fees, sponsorships and grants fund the bulk of our events and educational programs. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a proud affiliate member of The Blues Foundation.
Your Involvement:
Help make the world a better place! Donors, Sponsors and Volunteers are the backbone of the SBS. You will make a difference!
We are the third oldest blues society in the United States and are celebrating our 45th year throughout 2024!
The Sacramento Blues Society understands that the arts have always been outlets to express the plight of the oppressed, and to sound the call for change. We believe that the African-American experience is the very foundation of the Blues, a uniquely American art form, and one which we celebrate and love. Music, especially the Blues, can break down racial barriers and open dialogue about cultural diversity.
We are witnessing, and are part of, a movement for social justice now. We pledge, as individuals and as a group, to work for peaceful, positive change within the community and to influence those with whom we interact to do the same. We welcome everyone to enjoy the Blues with us...in the spirit of unity, companionship and goodwill. We are all in this together
We love to connect with all aspects of the community through BLUES – involving artists, labels, radio, students, schools, venues, promoters and FANS. Membership fees, sponsorships and grants fund the bulk of our events and educational programs. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a proud affiliate member of The Blues Foundation.
Your Involvement:
Help make the world a better place! Donors, Sponsors and Volunteers are the backbone of the SBS. You will make a difference!
Blues in the Schools Program (BITS)
A nationally recognized long-running SBS program. One of the few select arts education programs chosen by the Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture to provide programs for Sacramento public schools. Since 2004, BITS has served over 56,000 students via an intensive after-school 8 week program at multiple high schools; large scale assemblies or classroom settings with cultural/Blues music history presentations + live music (K-8), and song-writing competitions for at-risk teens. In response to the pandemic, we are currently producing online versions of our educational assembly concerts. Teaching Blues Music and Learning Life Skills!
A nationally recognized long-running SBS program. One of the few select arts education programs chosen by the Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture to provide programs for Sacramento public schools. Since 2004, BITS has served over 56,000 students via an intensive after-school 8 week program at multiple high schools; large scale assemblies or classroom settings with cultural/Blues music history presentations + live music (K-8), and song-writing competitions for at-risk teens. In response to the pandemic, we are currently producing online versions of our educational assembly concerts. Teaching Blues Music and Learning Life Skills!
SBS Hall of Fame
A warm community event each year honors individuals who have made Sacramento a significant blues town. Our induction ceremony celebrates the new honorees, and we bring a top notch band to entertain the crowd. Take our word--"Northern California is the new Chicago." We also remember those who live in our hearts and minds with our special "Gone But Not Forgotten" multi-media presentation
A warm community event each year honors individuals who have made Sacramento a significant blues town. Our induction ceremony celebrates the new honorees, and we bring a top notch band to entertain the crowd. Take our word--"Northern California is the new Chicago." We also remember those who live in our hearts and minds with our special "Gone But Not Forgotten" multi-media presentation
Events & Concerts
We bring award-winning national blues & soul entertainers to town, always in a great setting with seating, dance floor, food and drink. Sugaray Rayford, Curtis Salgado, Marcel Smith, Wee Willie Walker, Deanna Bogart, Kenny Neal, Tommy Castro, Bob Margolin, Nikki Hill and our city's world famous Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have been some of our headliners. We highlight our exceptional local artists too. The SBS membership table is at many local clubs and concert events- stop by and say hi!
Little Charlie Baty Memorial Music Scholarship
Newly established, this is being created in honor of Charles “Little Charlie” Baty, master guitarist, and fearless blues musician. This scholarship honors Charlie Baty’s commitment to the Blues in Schools program, and supports the Sacramento Blues Society’s commitment to continuing the education and preservation of Blues music. It is intended to support students in the School of Music within the College of Arts and Letters, California State University, Sacramento, California.
We bring award-winning national blues & soul entertainers to town, always in a great setting with seating, dance floor, food and drink. Sugaray Rayford, Curtis Salgado, Marcel Smith, Wee Willie Walker, Deanna Bogart, Kenny Neal, Tommy Castro, Bob Margolin, Nikki Hill and our city's world famous Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have been some of our headliners. We highlight our exceptional local artists too. The SBS membership table is at many local clubs and concert events- stop by and say hi!
Little Charlie Baty Memorial Music Scholarship
Newly established, this is being created in honor of Charles “Little Charlie” Baty, master guitarist, and fearless blues musician. This scholarship honors Charlie Baty’s commitment to the Blues in Schools program, and supports the Sacramento Blues Society’s commitment to continuing the education and preservation of Blues music. It is intended to support students in the School of Music within the College of Arts and Letters, California State University, Sacramento, California.
Gene Chambers Musicians Emergency Fund
This fund assists local Blues musicians when unexpected financial needs arise due to illness, medical bills and pandemics. To apply or donate
This fund assists local Blues musicians when unexpected financial needs arise due to illness, medical bills and pandemics. To apply or donate
Blue Notes Bi-monthly Newsletter
A professional bi-monthly 12-page color newsletter with features, photos, CD reviews and brief committee reports. Download a copy from our Home page.
A professional bi-monthly 12-page color newsletter with features, photos, CD reviews and brief committee reports. Download a copy from our Home page.
Mick Martin Student Fund
We provide aid to students who exhibit proclivity for music in the acquisition of musical instruments, equipment, special education or mentoring in an effort to foster their interest and abilities in blues music.
We provide aid to students who exhibit proclivity for music in the acquisition of musical instruments, equipment, special education or mentoring in an effort to foster their interest and abilities in blues music.
"Jan's Jams" Weekly Calendar
"Jan's Jams" is a weekly emailed collection of upcoming live blues events in Northern Califoria.
"Jan's Jams" is a weekly emailed collection of upcoming live blues events in Northern Califoria.
International Blues Challenge
The committee conducts the local Challenge for the purpose of sending the winning act to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
The committee conducts the local Challenge for the purpose of sending the winning act to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
Member Bands
We support and love our member bands! Bands can submit shows to "Jan's Jams" weekly calendar : [email protected]
We support and love our member bands! Bands can submit shows to "Jan's Jams" weekly calendar : [email protected]
Blues Societies: When you are travelling, this is a very handy guide.