The Blues in the Schools program provides musical and cultural education to our young people so they better understand this original American music genre and the Americans that brought it to life. 

Blues in the Schools is supported by the Blues Foundation and made possible by by local volunteers and funding from the CBA.

Blues in the Schools

UA High School Students Thrilled with “The Jims”

The Columbus Blues Alliance and the delta blues duo Biersdorf and Kolbe presented Blues in the Schools to two classes of students at Upper Arlington High School October 8, 2004 . The Blues in the Schools Program is a music education program that enhances student exposure to blues music as a truly American artistic creation.

Jim Biersdorf and Jim Kolbe spent several hours at the Upper Arlington High School beginning with a pizza lunch with the Multiple Handicapped class. These 11 students introduced themselves, some professed a love for blues music, and several talked about the guitar lessons they were taking. A question and answer session before lunch included questions like where the Jims like to play, how long they had been playing together, favorite songs, artists, and what else they do with their time.

Jim Kolbe started teaching himself to play guitar at age 13 and his first public performance was at a swimming pool party at age 16. He played pop music covers for years before finding the blues and fell in love with the music.

Jim Biersdorf first learned to play the accordion and played at a house party at age 8. He met Jim Kolbe at a Columbus Blues Alliance meeting and blues jam in 1993 and they played together for the first time at this event. They have been playing together ever since. Both Jims are self employed which gives them flexibility to play when and where they want.

After lunch, the MH students, teachers, aides, and the Jims walked to the Choral Music room where the Music Theory class joined us bringing the audience to 45 students and teachers. The Jims started the program off with “High Heeled Sneakers” then spoke about type of blues music they play – Mississippi Delta Blues, Country or Piedmont Blues, and Texas Blues. Kolbe explained that most popular music today is based on this early American music including the phrasing, rhythms, and words.

Jim Kolbe changed to a metal resonator guitar and played “Walkin' Blues”. He then compared playing blues to playing pop music, which he did for years. He explained that audiences want to hear pop music played just like it sounds on the radio while blues is innovative and able to be played differently every time. He told the students ahe types of guitars he uses and said he prefers to play acoustic over electric and enjoys changing the way he plays every song.

Kolbe talked about the way blues music was constructed and the way the lyrics were created. Words, themes, and their roots in field songs were covered as well as the use of allegories such as comparing men to cars. They then played “Automobile Mechanic”.

Biersdorf talked about harmonicas, his use of Hohner brands, and the basic construction of these instruments. He then talked about Rag Music as another style they like to play. They then played “Rag Mama”, “Cookie Blues”, and a Jim Kolbe Original “BBQ Blues”. They were asked by a student how blues music was passed along in its infancy. Kolbe explained that in the early years, songs were passed by word of mouth and not written down, which caused many songs to have the same phrases and many of these first songs and phrases are still used today. The Jims finished the program with “Worried Blues”.

Students and teachers alike thanked and complimented the Jims on their playing and presentation. They were asked to come back for another presentation to another music class that is studying music history.