Singin' the blues

Sultry blues vocals over jazzy guitar riffs will fill the halls of Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center on Saturday.

Saffire — the Uppity Blues Women — will celebrate the release of its final CD “Havin’ The Last Word” during a farewell performance in Culpeper.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. and costs $15 for the general public; $5 for faculty and staff; and $3 for students.

Talk about “Girl Power,” this Fredericksburg trio — Gaye Adegbalola, Ann Rabson, and Andra Faye — is calling it quits after 25 years of playing on stage together in tiny venues and large arenas both nationally and internationally.

“I have mixed feelings,” wrote Rabson, 60, via e-mail last week. “On one hand I’m sad to be ending a wonderful chapter in my life — a chapter, which has allowed me to make music with my Saffire friends and have great times together for many, many years. On the other hand, I’m excited about expanding my solo work, pursuing new avenues, stretching out musically and having new adventures.”

Adegbalola calls the band’s farewell tour bittersweet.

“Sweet because the journey has been incredible,” said Adegbalola, who turns 65 in March. “I still can’t believe that I’ve actually made a living doing what I love. However, leaving Saffire is hard because of the uncertainty of the future. All of us want to continue to make music in different ways, in varying degrees. Hopefully we can be as successful independently as we have been collectively.”

Faye, who joined the group in 1992, echoed the group’s feelings.

“It’s been a lovely crazy journey and I have truly enjoyed the ride and I will miss working with dear friends,” she said. “I have been with Saffire 17 years, the longest job I’ve had, I believe. But, life changes and we change also. I’ll always look forward to making music with Ann and Gaye, whenever, wherever.”

According to Germanna spokesman Mike Zitz, the concert’s proceeds will go to the Germanna Educational Foundation to help fund scholarships for students with financial needs.

What’s next?
Rabson, a former Germanna instructor, says she’ll be staying busy even after the Saffire farewell tour, which ends in November.

She plans on touring with her band Ann and the Annimators and performing solos in the meantime. She also has plans to play her “Introduction to the Blues” for kids in a number of area schools.

“I’m hoping that my solo and Annimators touring will take me far and wide,” she added. “I’d love to spend more time overseas as well as in the U.S.”
For Adegbalola, more songwriting is in her future.

“Many new songs are in the pipeline,” said Adegbalola, a retired educator for Fredericksburg City Public Schools.

“Also, I plan to learn to play slide guitar better. Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks.”

On this latest CD, Adegbalola played her first slide solo.

“I love the sound, I love the feeling whether it’s on my porch or before thousands, I will play a new sweet song,” she added.

With that, she plans to continue performing solos and duo with Roddy Barnes.

Faye plans to continue playing music, teaching private lessons and creating stained glass art.

Want to go?
What: Saffire, The Uppity Blues Women concert
Where: Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Tickets: General public, $15; faculty and staff, $5;
students $3.