Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo

Welcome to the Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo concert. Join us at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca for an evening of music and stories.

The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo, comprised of Valerie and Benedict Turner, are ambassadors of Country Blues music, Piedmont-style fingerpicking, and roots percussion. Their mission is to help bring awareness to these unique aspects of African-American culture and to early blues artists' contributions through performing and teaching. They have entertained audiences domestically and abroad and are much loved wherever they go.

As 2018 inductees into the New York Blues Hall of Fame, this husband-and-wife duo feel that "there are stories to tell, people to remember, and things that must be said" so, in addition to tickling your ears with delightful music, they weave a bit of history into the presentation of each song. A Piedmont Blūz concert isn’t just music – it’s an experience as they transport you back to the 1920s and 1930s, the hey-day of acoustic Country Blues music. In addition to performing songs from that time frame, they introduce each piece with an interesting anecdote about the composer, the period, or the song itself. Added to Music to Life's official Juried Artist roster in 2024, the duo looks forward to contributing to this network of musician change agents.

The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo self-published a music book that the Library of Congress has acquired. This book teaches guitar players a traditional fingerpicking style popular among early blues musicians. They are also board members of the Mississippi John Hurt Foundation, with Valerie as its Co-President and Benedict as its Creative Director. In these capacities, they have conducted fundraising, published articles, given presentations about the life and times of John Hurt, and helped create a documentary film.

Grab your friends and come on down for an evening of great music!

Host or Publisher Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts