MORGAN FREEMAN RELEASES BLUES ALBUM MARKING 100 YEARS OF THE GENRE

NEW YORK, AUGUST 11 /SRNA/ - The Morgan Freeman Symphonic Blues Experience, an ensemble of blues musicians led by the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor that combines the genre with classical and symphonic compositions, will release its self-titled album on Friday, August 14, marking the centenary of the first blues recordings, AP reported.

Freeman said he had always been a fan of the blues and that he came up with the idea of forming the ensemble indirectly 25 years ago in Clarksdale, Mississippi, when visitors from other places asked him where they could listen to this type of music.

"There was no place where we could guarantee that you could go and hear the blues. So we had to create one," Freeman said.

The actor said that he and his business partners, then-Mayor Bill Luckett and Howard Stovall, were inspired to open a music club in Clarksdale called Ground Zero Blues Club.

"From there came the idea to establish The Morgan Freeman Symphonic Blues Experience," he said.

Freeman said that he is serving as a producer and narrator on the album, but not as a performer.

"The music is being handled by professionals, including renowned artists such as Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland, the Stax Music Academy Choir and many others. I love the blues. I love music. I can’t claim to be an expert. That’s not my place," Freeman said.