Local guitarist, teacher, writer, and performer Pete Madsen takes the audience on a trip to “the land where blues began,” presenting the music of Delta musicians like Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton, as well as Piedmont-style players like Blind Blake. Pete uses old photographs and recordings as well as his own expert playing to demonstrate the intricate fingerpicking style and bottleneck slide technique of these early pioneers who have influenced generations of musicians. He’ll provide a vivid overview of early blues and take questions from the audience.
 
Pete has written for Acoustic Guitar and Play Guitar magazines, and is the author of FretMaster: Slide Guitar and the Fretmaster: Funk Book, as well as A Guide to Acoustic Blues Guitar and the soon to be published The CAGED System for Guitar. When he’s not teaching guitar classes at the Freight, he plays occasional solo gigs in the blues and folk vein, and also plays rock and roll with the Bungee Jumping Cows.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Berkeley, Celeste Kopel has been singing ever since she can remember. She is also a classically trained pianist and loves playing Chopin (a great blues man in his own right). Her father gave her a red Stratocaster when she turned 15 and taught her to play the blues, which led to a young adulthood full of staying up late and figuring out how to play classic rock songs. Her soulful vocals draw comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Celeste is also the lead singer and keyboard player in local tribute band The Berkeley Blues Coalition. You may recognize her as a proud member of the Freight team, where you'll find her selling tickets, managing the education department, and emceeing shows. She's honored to share the stage with Pete, and looks forward to taking this show on the road.