Morgan Freeman, the acclaimed actor and Mississippi native, is set to bring the Symphonic Blues Experience to Jackson later this month. The event will feature the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performing at Thalia Mara Hall, highlighting the deep connections between Freeman, blues music, and his home state.
A Celebration of Mississippi’s Blues Heritage
Freeman, who owns the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, has toured the Symphonic Blues Experience around the world with his business partner, Eric Meier. Reflecting on the music’s origins, Freeman emphasized its rightful place in Mississippi, saying,
“Georgia, Illinois, Kansas City, California, even Austria and Ireland. So it belongs in Mississippi. It came from Mississippi, was originated in Mississippi,”
Freeman’s personal ties to Mississippi run strong. After years of traveling and building his career, he returned to live in Charleston, following his parents who had moved back there.
“I was coming back to visit them, and every time I came back home, I had this, this feeling, this relaxation, this place that you wanted to be. It was comfortable, so I moved back,”
Freeman shared.
Exploring the History of Blues Through Music and Storytelling
Eric Meier described the performance as a historical journey through over a century of blues music, beginning in the Mississippi Delta.
“Really, Blues music of the last hundred years. I mean, this music had its humble birth in the Mississippi Delta and then spread globally. And so we basically trace the origins of this music, starting in the 1930s and then it really finishes up with modern-day blues hits,”
he said.
The show will feature Freeman’s narration, weaving together stories about Mississippi’s culture and the pioneers of blues, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll. Meier expressed high praise for Freeman’s storytelling, noting,
“Morgan does a phenomenal job, really providing narration to provide context of what this is all about during this time period. I mean, how can you get better than the world’s greatest storyteller?”
Tickets Selling Quickly for the Jackson Performance
The March 27 event at Thalia Mara Hall is attracting rapid interest, with tickets moving fast. Meier highlighted the unique blend of education and entertainment the show offers, saying,
“It’s a blend of entertainment and education. I promise you’re gonna learn something about this, hopefully you’ll get up and dance, and you’ll know many of these songs. It’s just, it’s a great show.”
Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for those eager to experience a musical tribute to Mississippi’s rich blues legacy.
