Damer i Blues

"Get Right Church" is a gospel concert with Damer i Blues specially commissioned for the Notodden Blues Festival. There is a long history of gospel and church concerts during the Notodden Blues Festival. The Five Blind Boys of Alabama began this tradition with a historically strong concert in Notodden Church in 1992. Last year, Earl Thomas and his Gospel Ambassadors really took off in a packed Notodden Church. This year, there will be a commissioned concert with the always popular Damer i Blues, who this time will bring their band and specially invited guests such as the American star D.K. Harrell and the new Norwegian talent Adama Janlo. The concert has been titled "Get Right Church". The title is based on an old traditional spiritual that in its message is about self-reflection, redemption and the search for salvation. It is reason for the audience to note that the concert in Notodden Church this year is on Friday and not Saturday as in the past.

The duo Damer i Blues consists of Spellemann prize winner Rita Engedalen and Margit Bakken. Together they have built one of the country's most popular and important music projects - a project that has made a name for itself both nationally and internationally. Now they are coming to Notodden Blues Festival with a brand new gospel line-up. The concert "Get Right Church" will be a powerhouse of dimensions in Notodden Church, and a concert you definitely don't want to miss.

Engedalen and Bakken are no strangers to gospel music or to bringing in interesting guests on their albums or concerts. Rita Engedalen has made a number of recordings and concerts where she has collaborated with renowned gospel artists such as Myra Turner from Clarksdale, Ruthie Foster and The Coahoma Community College Gospel Choir from Mississippi. Damer i Blues has collaborated with, among others, the London Community Gospel Choir, and over the years they have had several exciting and high-profile musical guests.

In the concert "Get Right Church" in Notodden Church on Friday, August 1, Engedalen and Bakken will be accompanied by a full band consisting of musicians Espen Liland (guitar), Bård Gunnar Moe (bass) and Eivind Kløverød (drums).

Photo: Johannes Brendemo