(L to R): Varney Green (Grammy-Nominated Trombonist), Tony Coleman (Drummer for B.B. King, Vashti Jackson (Grammy-Awarded Blues Guitarist, Freddie T. Holt (Grammy-Nominated Trumpeter, Bobby Rush (Grammy-Awarded Blues Vocalist, and Ken Bean (Keyboardist) seen preparing to depart for B.B. King Ceremony performance.
Freddie T. Holt, Professional Trumpeter, Arranger, Composer, and Band Leader of The Award-Winning “After 5 Tux Band” has been awarded another prestigious accolade. Mr. Holt was selected to perform with an All-Star Musical line-up that was a huge part of an historic event. Holt and the illustrious musicians performed as the Official B.B. King Tribute All-Star Band at the Unveiling of a new B.B. King Statue.
The statue was officially presented last Saturday, June 5, as part of a dedication for new exhibits at B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, located in King’s hometown, Indianola, Mississippi. The new gravesite and exhibit extension are beautifully done. And the performance lineup was historic for the blues world. Mississippi is, of course, the birthplace of the blues.
“This is a tremendous honor, privilege, and blessing to be able to perform for this historic event,” said Holt. “As humble as B.B. was, I know that he is looking down, smiling with grace.” As Lead Trumpeter for “Queen of the Blues” Denise LaSalle and The B.B. King All-Stars, Holt had shared the stage with the late “King of The Blues” for several years. Tony Coleman, who was drummer for Mr. King for 30 years, is the Musical Director. Other notable artists include Tennessee State University Alumni, the outstanding Varney Green on Trombone and the fantastic Rod Allen on Tenor Sax.
“It’s NOT the Same as talking to the KING Like it was back in the day, but THANKFUL! None the less……BLESSINGS!” – Freddie T. Holt at newly unveiled statue of B.B. King in the Memorial Garden.
The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center opened in Indianola, Mississippi, on September 13, 2008. The museum features a restored brick cotton gin building in which B.B. King worked in the 1940s. The museum also contains an extensive collection of artifacts owned by King and displays exhibits about his life and the lives of other musicians of the delta region and the culture where the blues arose.
The museum commemorates the famous blues artist B.B King, who was from the Mississippi Delta. The museum has multiple exhibits highlighting King’s Delta Blue music. Exhibits include interactive exhibits, King memorabilia, and stories. The museum seeks to help preserve Delta Blues and its culture by promoting its importance. In 2015, shortly after his death at age 89, King was buried at the museum and center in a planned memorial garden.
Plan now to attend a performance by the phenomenal “After 5 Tux Band.” They will be at the Bourbon Street Blues Club in Nashville’s Printer’s Alley on Friday, June 18 at 10 pm. See them at Acme on lower Broadway on Saturday, July 10 and Saturday, July 30, showtimes 10 pm. They will also be playing the Oak Grove Casino in Oak Grove, Kentucky on August Friday, August 6, showtime 8 pm.
Final resting place of BB King in the museum.
