Ralph Abramson <RALPHA@Mail.AbInfoHwy.Ca> Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997
To: David.C.Broski@uic.edu
The Manitoba Blues Society (MBS) most certainly supports the preservation of Maxwell Street. Maxwell Street occupies a prominent position in the history of the Blues. Maxwell Street served as the focal point of the establishment of a new branch of the Blues, the Chicago Blues, in the 1930's and 1940's. This new form used as its base the Blues' traditional rural acoustic roots and infused a new and vibrant electrified element that reflected the new surroundings in a large urban centre. Artists prominent in the history of the Blues, such as Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, Memphis Minnie, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, all knew and played on Maxwell Street. To lose this piece of Blues history would indeed be a tremendous blow to the effort to keep the tradition of the Blues alive.
The MBS also recognizes the importance of the preservation of this section of Maxwell Street as part of the history of immigration of European people to mid west America. The MBS in based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and our city also has a rich history as a centre for immigration around the turn of this century. Winnipeg is still a "melting pot" of nationalities, all of whom have contributed to development of our city. We believe that preservation of Maxwell Street as part of the history of immigration the American mid west is also an important and worth while effort.
Please feel free to share this letter with whomever you see fit in the effort to preserve the last remaining section of Maxwell Street, the cradle of the Chicago Blues.
Yours truly,
Ralph Abramson
Chairperson, Manitoba Blues Society
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