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Memories and music at Blues Jam

(March 16, 2017) With a palpable sense of loss in the air, the 10th annual Snow Hill Blues Jam drew a packed house last Saturday, bonding many of those in attendance with vivid memories of departed past participants.
Two of the creative sparks who helped launch the event recently passed away – guitarist Mike Armstrong died last September and visual artist Bill Rolig died in 2012.
Snow Hill All Stars singer Margot Resto said organizers met at the end of January and, despite the minimal preparation time, they opted to continue the long-standing tradition.
“Six weeks out, we decided we were doing this,” she said.
In addition to missing Armstrong and Rolig’s presence, Resto said the Snow Hill All Stars lost its other guitarist when Burley Strand, also known as Mr. B, died in November 2014.
This year, an infusion of youth occupied several of the vacated slots, with Gabe Resto, 15, and Chris Sajadi, 17, filling in for Armstrong and Strand.
Rounding out the Snow Hill All Stars, were, in addition to Margot Resto on vocals, Angel Resto Jr. on bass, Miss T (Tynesha Savage) on saxophone and Robert “The Great unknown” Buckner behind the drums.
The crowd was also treated to a second sax player as John Ewart, who had played with Armstrong, sat in with the band, giving the All Stars a dual-horn attack.
Following the All Stars’ energetic set, the Daryl Davis Revue brought the goods with lead singer Deletta Gillespie, bass player Doug Ross, guitarist Zach Sweeney and drummer Anders Eliasson.
Chicago native Davis, who was mentored by legendary blues pianists Pinetop Perkins and Johnnie Johnson, led his band through an inspired set, followed by a jam session that saw Resto and Gillespie join forces for a soulful vocal duo.
Afterward, Resto said she particularly impressed by the stage presence of her son Gabe and his band mate Sajadi. The duo became acquainted as students at the Academy of Music Performance in Salisbury.
“My face hurt the next day from grinning so much,” she said.
The teenage guitarists also impressed Snow Hill Economic Coordinator Michael Day, who noted that despite the lineup of seasoned musicians, Gabe Resto’s talent shined brightly.
“Gabe didn’t steal the show from Daryl Davis, but he came close,” he said.
Overall, Day said the event was a success with more than 175 tickets sold.
“Between the silent auction and t-shirt sales we made about $2,000 profit,” he said.
Local musician Nick Haglich, whose dance moves motivated a large contingent to get up out of their seats, said he lost a mentor when Armstrong died.
“He was my musical hero,” he said.
At the end of the evening Mike Armstrong and Bill Rolig’s widows, Diane Armstrong and Deborah Rolig, shared tearful memories of previous blues jams. They spoke warmly of their spouses’ dedication to bringing top-flight musicians to Snow Hill.
“That meant a lot to see that and I can’t imagine what it felt like to them,” Margot Resto said. “To have Debbie up there talking about it, that was a cathartic thing for all of us.”
Resto said she is hopeful that plans for the next blues jam, traditionally held on the second Saturday in March, would start a little earlier. Although this year’s event was organized rather quickly, she is already eyeballing the calendar for 2018.
“March 10 is a Saturday next year,” she said.