News and Announcements
Fundraising
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation ("Archie's Barbershop") is grateful to the donors and volunteers who have helped keep the work of the Foundation alive during these challenging Covid pandemic times.
Instead of spending time together in person, we have spent time in front of screens, working to keep the music and our connections to each other alive through online jams and workshops. When local health advisories allowed, we resumed in-person events including outdoor and indoor jams, keeping our community safe by following strict vaccination and masking protocols. Musicians representing Archie's Barbershop participated in both live and virtual community festivals and events.
Through it all, we have been committed to continuing the tradition learning and playing acoustic blues established by Archie Edwards in the 1950s.
The Foundation’s mission is to keep acoustic blues traditions alive though education, performance, and community. To continue, we need your help. We are an all-volunteer organization, operating on a shoestring on funds provided by donations and the efforts of a volunteer crew. If you have been affected by what we do, or you just love the music, please consider donating to the Foundation to help us continue to be a positive voice in the world.
To donate, click on the yellow DONATE
button on the right side at the very bottom
of this page.
Acoustic Blues Jams
Saturdays, 1-5 pm
About the Saturday Jams
We welcome an eclectic mix of acoustic instruments -- guitars and harmonicas, piano, fiddles and mandolins, “bones” and other hand percussion instruments, flutes and horns, upright bass, accordions, vocalists, as well as unusual instruments such as washtub bass and musical saws. Listeners are welcome too!
Location of "Archie's Barbershop"
Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation
4502 Hamilton Street
Hyattsville, Maryland
Upcoming Events
For more details about these events, please visit the Events/Calendar section of this website.
RECURRING EVENTS
Acoustic Blues Jams
Saturdays, 1-5 pm
Weekly Saturday acoustic blues jams have resumed indoors at Archie's Barbershop.
Acoustic Open Mic
Third Thursday Every Month
7:30-10:30pm
Musicians may play three songs, with a jam at the end if time permits. Listeners are encouraged to attend.
CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS
Blues Workshops at Hyattsville Library
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is sponsoring a series of free classes to teach beginning guitar, blues harmonica, and blues guitar to individuals aged 12 and older. Instruments will be provided to those who do not possess them.
The Hyattsville Library is located at 6530 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. .
Beginning Guitar: June 10
Beginning Blues Guitar: May 20, June 17, July 15
Beginning Blues Harmonica: June 3
See more details about the classes in the Calendar/Events page on this site.
For more information or to express interest in participating in a class, send an email to
info@acousticblues.com, subject “Library Classes.” (Note: A second series of classes will begin in July.)
Concert: Ian Walters & Matt Kelley
Friday, May 19, 8-10 pm
This FREE concert promises to be an evening of fun and entertainment on the Barbershop stage. Matt Kelley is one of the premier guitarists in the metro area. He won the 2010 Albert King best guitarist award at the International Blues challenge. He is a student of the blues who draws from the past masters to provide inspired playing. Ian Walters, one of the most well-known pianists in the Washington area, plays spirited,
updated blues and standards as well as contemporary tunes. His soulful vocals and good vibe makes for a very enjoyable experience.
Silver Spring Blues Festival, Acoustic Stage
Saturday, June 17 10 am-3pm
Performing at the SSBF are the Archie Edwards Blues Ensemble (10 am), Blue Panamuse (11am), Women in the Blues (noon), Alex Ponti (1pm), and Geoff Seals harmonica workshop (2pm). Electric bands perform from 3pm until 10pm.
Concert: Hubby Jenkins
Friday, June 23, 8-10 pm
Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. As an integral member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and later Rhiannon Giddens band, Hubby has performed at festivals and venues around the world, earning himself both Grammy and Americana award nominations. Today he spreads his knowledge and love of old-time American music through his dynamic solo performance.
HERITAGE
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is keeping acoustic blues traditions alive. Through weekly Saturday jams, performances, workshops, exhibits, and lectures, AEBHF carries on the educational mission of celebrated Piedmont blues artist Archie Edwards.
Archie Edwards (1918-1998) was a barber, teacher, storyteller, and master of the Piedmont style of blues guitar. “Archie’s Barbershop” in Northeast Washington, DC, was a gathering place where generations of musicians and friends came to listen to and learn the music.
SATURDAY JAMS
Continuing a tradition that began more than 50 years ago by Archie Edwards at his barbershop, AEBHF hosts an acoustic blues jam every Saturday afternoon. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome, and many music lovers stop by just to listen.