The musical review that has opened in these past few days in Turin and will last until the 22nd of Cember, pays homage to women's Blues. It is the 11th edition of this festival, which carries the title of "Black America's image in the women of blues".

A unique project in Italy for the decentralisation of jazz and blues music, in which various Cultural Associations and Local boards. A characteristic of Women's Blues is that it presents for the first time in Italy, exclusive, and sometimes even for Europe, some of the most genuine and representative personalities of the different urban and rural American landscapes.

An operation that acquires even more importance if you consider that it is totally disconnected from the usual commercial circuits. The festival was opened by Jennifer Brown, one of the most promising voices of that black sound laboratory called commonly known as Chicago.

After a debut among applause in Casale Monferrato last friday, the next date is in Gaglianico, near Biella (Saturday 17). A week later, Saturday 24th  November, Beverly "Guitar" Watkins' minitour has its debut, accompanied for the occasion by Shrimp City Slim. She is an incredible show-girl, genuine and original, offering a repertoire in balance between rhythm & blues, boogie woogie and traditional blues. Five dates closing in Gaglianico the 1st of December.

Alma Whitney and the Whitney Gospel Singers will close the festival: Alma, a minister of the Memorial Baptist Church, comes directly from Kansas City, one of black music's historical capitals. Together with concerts the event has on schedule conferences and showings of rare films.

Everything is organised by Turin's Jazz Centre Cultural Association (tel. +39 011-884.477). For information on concert dates and addresses:

November.2001