New Orleans-based Robin Rapuzzi is a longtime veteran of the country blues scene, having toured both nationally and internationally. This summer, Robin brings his washboard skills and knowledge to the 2019 Acoustic Blues Festival.

Robin Rapuzzi is a longtime veteran of the New Orleans music scene, having made his bones on the streets and clubs of the city keeping time for bands such as Tuba Skinny, The Loose Marbles, Frog and Henry, and the Hokum High Rollers. Robin has toured extensively throughout the United States, Australia, and Europe, teaching washboard techniques and performing at a wide variety of venues. This summer, he’ll make his debut at the Port Townsend Blues Festival.

Robin’s class will focus on all aspects of washboard playing, from building washboards to the essential washboard patterns. In addition to discussing the fundamentals of working as a percussionist and the history and context of the washboard across genres, students will learn how to follow and divide rhythmic patterns, how to build endurance for keeping time, and about using Afro-Latin rhythms as a basis for soloing.

The 2019 Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival (July 28th–August 4th, 2019) is bringing back fan-favorite faculty performers as well as new voices. These artists mentor our workshop participants and set Fort Worden a-ringing with our Acoustic Blues showcase performance in the McCurdy Pavilion and pop-up clubs around the fort for Blues in The Clubs.

Ali joins an all-star lineup, including Guy Davis, Aaron Jonah Lewis, Shardé Thomas, Jontavious Willis, and Junious “House” Brickhouse.

Learn more about Centrum’s Blues faculty, festival performances, and Blues in the Clubs shows.