The AMRF is dedicated to the promotion, documentation, and preservation of American Music, particularly blues, ragtime, boogie woogie, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
A major focus of our work is making the connection between music and the artists who create it. We do this primarily by capturing artists on video, both in performance and in extensive interviews in which they tell their stories.
The primary venue for this mission is our annual Motor City Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival. The raw footage is retained in our archives for historical purposes and also used to create programs for public television.
The ultimate goal is to document and preserve American cultural and musical history so that future generations will not forget.
News
December 22, 2012
On December 12, 2012, Detroit Blues Legend Eddie Burns lay down and went to sleep, peacefully and for the last time. Read More
September 7, 2012
DETROIT BLUES & BEYOND is now available on DVD, including the entire program as seen on public television and an additional 56 minutes of bonus performances. Visit our on-line store for more information and to purchase.
August 10, 2012
Detroit's Gentleman of the Blues, Johnnie Bassett, succumbed to cancer at the age of 76 on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Read more.
June 29, 2012
"There ain't no party like a Detroit Party!" and the party comes to public television and DVD this fall with the release of "Detroit Blues & Beyond" featuring Alberta Adams, Johnnie Bassett, Sir Mack Rice, Calvin Cooke, and the Howling Diablos. WATCH THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES