Two years ago, legendary musician Ellen McIlwaine performed at a RiverHouse Concert held in Brunswick, Maryland to a "standing room only" crowd.  Long-time fans, excited to see her, brought vinyl albums, which she gladly signed.  At intermission, surprised when the audience sang Happy Birthday and a large cake appeared, 

McIlwaine's eyes teared up.  That was October 1, 2005, her 60th birthday.  Well, she's coming back!

 

Sunday, September 30th, Ellen McIlwaine returns to the panhandle to perform at the Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherdstown, WV.  Doors open at 5:30pm; show begins at 7:00pm.  Concert admission is $15/person @ the door. 

 

Growing up in Japan as part of an international community, already playing BOOGIE WOOGIE piano at five, and switching to acoustic guitar when she moved to Atlanta GA, McIlwaine was playing everything from RHYTHM & BLUES to "WORLD MUSIC" long before it was called World Music!

 

Appearing on the GREENWICH VILLAGE SCENE in the mid-to-late 60's with such greats as ODETTA, RICHIE HAVENS, HOWLIN' WOLF, MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT, JIMI HENDRIX, MUDDY WATERS, (the list goes on and on!) she has recorded twelve albums to date, collaborating with such greats as JACK BRUCE of CREAM and TAJ MAHAL.

 

The latest CD, Mystic Bridge, features McIlwaine on acoustic guitar.  She is accompanied by tabla player & vocalist Cassius Khan, soprano sax from Linsey Wellman and harmonium by Amika Kushwaha.

 

McIlwaine's career spans some forty years with appearances across the globe: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan. She is known for her Blues-World-Hybrid renderings and her vocal acrobatics.  She is a legendary slide guitar player with lots of great stories to tell, and she puts on a great show.  Don't miss this rare opportunity to see this great artist.  Come, hear her play and help celebrate her 62nd birthday!

 

Dinner, drinks and light fare are available for purchase at all Blue Moon Sundays concerts.  To reserve a dinner table prior to watching the show, call the Blue Moon Cafe at 304-876-1920.  The Blue Moon Cafe is located on North Princess Street, at the corner of Princess and High in Shepherdstown WV.  For more information, contact Cheryl Mansley at 304-702-0554 or bluemoonsundays@....  Or, visit the Blue Moon website at www.bluemoonshepherdstown.com.  To learn more about Ellen McIlwaine, visit www.ellenmcilwaine.com.