Legendary Piedmont Blues guitarist John Cephas honored

John Cephas, legendary Piedmont Blues guitar player, is being honored as one of eight black trailblazers as designated by the Library of Virginia's African American History Month.

The celebration kicked off last night at the Capital Ale House with a special tribute concert called "Piedmont Blues with Wiggins and Friends: A Tribute to John Cephas," sponsored by the library and the River City Blues Society of Virginia.

Cephas was not in attendance because of health concerns and the fact that he has recently retired from performing, but his playing and recording partner of 35 years, harmonica player Phil Wiggins, graced the stage with another longtime Cephas collaborator, guitarist Rick Franklin.

"We played together for so long that it got to be like we could read each other's mind when we were on stage," Wiggins said. "It's like we were one musician. There's no substitute for what we learned and developed playing together for 35 years."

Franklin, who is from Arlington, has been a longtime follower of Cephas and plays a mean blues guitar himself.

"We jammed together a number of times," Franklin said. "So while I never took a formal lesson with John, we have shared a lot of knowledge. And I have certainly learned a lot from him."

It seems that Franklin is filling the legendary chair Cephas used to occupy with flair. He and Wiggins had the house rocking with an hourlong set of mostly carefully honed Piedmont Blues numbers.

The evening began with Gregg Kimball, director of publications and educational services for the Library of Virginia, setting the stage for Wiggins and Franklin.

Kimball is president of the River City Blues Society and warmed up the crowd with more than 30 minutes of various modes of blues played on three different guitars and a banjo.

Cy Taggart, another River City Blues Society board member, also was on hand to represent the group's Blues in the Schools effort, which is funded by the society and corporate donors.

The eight honorees also will be recognized at a special program at the Library of Virginia tonight.

Contact Walt Amacker at (804) 649-6247 or .