A Conversation with Cedric Burnside

On November 15th at 11 am, students are invited to join us in the Sanders Soundstage for a performance and discussion of Burnside’s career. This workshop is being held in celebration of National Drumming Day and is recommended for grades 6+.

Born and raised near Holly Springs, Mississippi, Cedric Burnside, grandson of legendary R.L. Burnside and son of drummer Calvin Jackson, has been playing music for his entire life. This seven-time winner of the prestigious Blues Music Award’s Drummer of the Year is widely regarded as one of the best drummers in the world and has begun to make a name for himself as a traditional blues guitarist, as well. Cedric Burnside Project’s latest album, Descendants of Hill Country, was released in 2015 and was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Blues Album of the Year.

Cedric has performed and recorded with countless musicians, including, Junior Kimbrough, Kenny Brown, North Mississippi Allstars, Burnside Exploration, Widespread Panic, Jimmy Buffett, T Model Ford, Bobby Rush, Honey Boy Edwards, Hubert Sumlin, Galactic, among many others. In 2010, Cedric collaborated with his younger brother, Cody Burnside, and his uncle, Garry Burnside, to create The Cedric Burnside Project. They endeavored to keep the love and admiration for Mississippi Hill Country Blues alive by honoring the past while blazing a path towards the future. Following the untimely and tragic death of his brother Cody, Cedric has kept the flame burning, recording and touring the world with guitarist and lifelong friend Trenton Ayers.