LOS ANGELES, CA – Jazz musicians gather every Sunday thanks to one 84-year-old man who has kept his passion for the Blues alive.
- Man opens his home to Blues workshop
- Invites musicians and anyone who loves the Blues
- $10 donation to sing, eat, drink, and dance
His name is Franklin Bell, and both rhythm along with hospitality flows through his veins.
"That’s why I started doing the workshop. I wouldn’t have to play that much, and then I still enjoy the same thing I was doing when I was traveling. People. All kinds of people. You know I like an assortment of people. And then it worked out," Bell said.
Bell opened up the garage in his South Central home for not just musicians, but anyone who simply enjoys the Blues. With a $10 donation, people get to sing, eat, drink, and dance.
"It’s a joy for other people. Yeah I like that part. Just to see people enjoy themselves. On a real low scale," said Bell.
While the atmosphere might be low scale, the talent certainly isn’t. Some of the best in Blues play at Bell's workshop, always keeping the crowd entertained. Every now and then you just might catch a celebrity sighting.
"It's seriously magical just to stand here with all of the different musicians that I’ve met down through the years. It’s been wonderful, absolutely wonderful. You know we get up and it’s always a party," said Lester Lands, a musician and workshop attendee.
The workshop attracts music lovers of all backgrounds, colors, and creeds. The goal for Franklin ultimately is getting people together. As a musician himself, he often takes the back seat, pushing forward his Blues community to share their skills at the workshop. He wanted to create a space where Angelenos could let out all of their Blues.
"Now when you listen to Blues real closely, it’s always talking about somebody leaving. Somebody gone. Somebody not coming. Something like that," said Bell.