Myles Mancuso Blues in the Schools

New York, Hopewell Jct: The pilot, kick-off for the New York State “Blues in the Schools” program is set to take place on January 19th at John Jay High School in Hopewell Jct. NY. Initiated by Rochelle Pyne, Assistant Principle of the High School. -- The Blues in the Schools program emanates from the Blues Foundation, a national organization dedicated to the preservation of blues music.

The “Blues in the Schools” program was conceived by one of Little Sammy Davis’ contemporaries, the above mentioned Billy Branch, a legendary Blues Harmonica player from Chicago who has recorded with Muddy Waters, Willy Dixon, Son Seals & Koko Taylor among many others. Branch is a dedicated Blues educator who has taught in the Chicago school system for over twenty years. His successful program has been presented in schools across the United States and Canada. This is the first time it will be presented in a New York State school.

“Blues in the Schools” presents a unique opportunity for students to exhibit, use and develop their innate musical abilities through an alternative approach to education.. This program has been applied to any subject, History, Math, English and Science.

One 9 year old student, Myles Mancuso will serve up equal parts inspiration and entertainment when performing with Levon. As Myles puts it, when asked about how it feels to play

( The above was an excerpt is from the press release - Click Here for the full release - PDF file )

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Myles Jams with Little Sammy Davis and Fred Scribner - 1/19/05

"Guitar Bits" (3:00 Mins / 12 MB ) ( John Jay High School, NY )

These are a few quick jams on the Guitar before and after the show. Myles Plays lead on the first clip, then Myles and Little Sammy Davis do a Mannish Boy's version of "Mojo Workin", with a little James Brown at the end. During Mojo there is trhe tail end of Myles signing autographs for some of the High School students. Myles was playing guitar only 3 weeks at this point.

Myles performs with The Levon Helm Blues Band - 1/19/05

" I Ain't Lyin' " (4:21 Mins / 22 MB ) ( John Jay High School, NY )

This is the first of two songs Myles performs for the Blues in the Schools show. It was a great time and a real success. Myles seems to get better with every performance. Levon calls Myles over during the song and with out any effect on the song he squeezes back to Levon like an old pro.

Myles performs with The Levon Helm Blues Band - 1/19/05

" Blues with a Feelin " (3:29 Mins / 18 MB )( John Jay H. S. NY )

This is the second of the two songs Myles performs for the Blues in the Schools show. It was a true jam, the guys talked about a key and Fred told Myles to watch him for the changes. These guys don't hold back because Myles is young and that's why they like him, he hangs in like it's second nature.

Clip 1 - I Ain't Lyin' ( 17 MB )

Clip 2 - Scartch My Back ( 18 MB )

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Myles sits in with the Levon Helm Band at Onteora High School just outside of Woodstock on 5 / 6 / 06. This concert was a fund raiser put on by Levon to help the music department fund its program. The concert was a great success.

Myles plays guitar along side Jimmy Vivino-Guitar, Mike Merritt-Bass, Jerry Vivino-Sax; all of the Conan O’Brien Late Show Band, as well as Brian Mitchell-piano, of the Bob Dylan band and legendary Blues Harp player Little Sammy Davis.. The sound is not great on these videos but Myles smoked, having an absolutely great time jamming with the big boys.