TAS CRU

It is not for nothing Tas Cru has been called the master of the triple entendre.

His songs are blues poetry - telltale life lessons crafted with rare verbal flair and delivered with a power and passion the heights of which only the seasoned concert entertainer can reach.

A Few Facts About Tas Cru:

• 2014 Keeping The Blues Alive Recipient - Education 
• Named to the NYS Blues Hall of Fame in 2013 as a Master Blues Artist 
• Named 2009 Blues Festival Guide's Artist on the Rise 
• Tired Of Bluemen Cryin' made Roots Music Report's Top 50 Blues albums for ten consecutive weeks Tired Of Bluemen Cryin' made Top 25 on Living Blues Chart (Dec. 2012) 
• Downbeat Magazine named Grizzle n' Bone as one of its top 10 blues picks for 2010 
• gravi-Tas was featured as a "Pick to Click" on XM Radio's BB King's Bluesville 
• Tas will be releasing his new album, Keep The Money in 2014 

What Others Have Said About Tas:

• "Tas Cru has the soul of a poet" – Downbeat
• "A welcome dose of wry wit" - Blues Revue
• "The vivacity and sheer joy with which Cru plays is intoxicating " - Living Blues

LINKS

Web Site

Facebook

Airplay Direct

MUSIC


TIRED OF BLUESMEN CRYIN'
From Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin'


TRY OH I TRY
From Tired Of Bluesmen Cryin'

VIDEOS

HALF THE TIME
KOLR-TV, SPRINGFIELD, ARKANSAS - 2013

THAT'S GRAVY
2012 WOODSTOCK LUTHIER SHOWCASE

BLACK CAT BONE
CLUB HELSINKI - 2012

BLUES EDUCATION PROGRAMS

MY MISSION

To me, there is nothing more important that I do as a blues performer than blues education! Blues is a uniquely American music that along with gospel and jazz is one of America’s most precious gifts to the world. Blues is the musical foundation for all forms of pop music with its influence spanning seven generations. Children in schools throughout the globe learn about their culture’s artistic heritage and creative achievements. American children deserve to know about their culture’s rich musical heritage that is the Blues and how the world has embraced it as a creative art form. I am blessed to have had so many opportunities to work with young and old across the country as we educate each other about what it is that makes us love the blues.

 PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS for SCHOOLS 

• Blues 101 30 to 45 minute assembly or classroom program. Songs, instrument demos, history/blues today, Q&A Customized for age of audience – RULE OF THUMB- the younger they are the more active participation 
• Literacy Connections PreK –3 “Even Bugs Sing the Blues” – Eric Carle books (e.g., The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, and more) rewritten as blues songs. Grades 4- 6 “I Wrote a Blues Song!” – Blues lyric form as derived from call and response (AAB pattern) is introduced. Students learn to appreciate the concise power and imagery of Blues poetry as they write, sing and record their own songs. 
• Grades 7-12 ‘We Are the Blues” – History and culture come alive with Blues songs – soundtrack of historical, political, social and economic events. Music Classes General Music – Programs are custom made in collaboration with teaching staff to fit the age level and curriculum goals Performance Ensembles - Customized in collaboration with teaching staff. Workshops on theory, legendary performers, history and links to other genres. Students explore styles and techniques and perform blues standards and improvised jamming (vox & instruments). 

 PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS for FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS 

• Kid and Family Performances - Sing, Dance Laugh to family-friendly songs such as “My Dog” (a rewrite of Little Walter’s classic “My Babe” ) and Willie Dixon’s “Mellow Down Easy.” Tas Cru originals from his blues for kids Cd, “Even Bugs Sing the Blues” are sprinkled in as determined by the age of participants. 
• For Teens and Adults Blues 101 - Songs, instrument demos, history/blues today, Q&A Meet the Artist Tas Cru - A chance to chat up close and personal with the “Master of the Triple Entednre ”to talk about and share with each other the music we love and maybe swap a few road stories. 
• Build Yourself a Diddley Bow – A big hit at festivals, participants assemble and learn how to play the one stringed traditional Bow. 
• Slide Guitar Workshop – Demos and discussions about all things SLIDE – tunings, cigar boxes, resonators, slide materials and technique 
• Songwriting Seminar – What does it take to write a good blues song? Demo and discussion on the creative process – inspiration, lyrics, arrangements, feels, hooks and more! 

 BLUES CD FOR KIDS - EVEN BUGS SING THE BLUES! 

10 Originals songs (rewrites) of the famous bug books of children's author ERIC CARLE.

These stories are retold when critters like THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR and the GROUCHY LADYBUG get the lowdown blues!

Recorded in 2008 with a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts and support from the New York State Reading Council these CD's are NOT FOR SALE but provided to schools and programs where Tas Cru performs in order to help advance children's literacy.