What began in 2004 with five friends who loved the Blues has grown today into one of Europe’s major Blues promoters. In 2007, it organized the first Italian Blues Conference which brought together dozens of Italian Blues entities. The success of that conference led to organizing, in June 2008, the first European Blues conference where representatives from ten European countries met to form bonds and create a database of European Blues entities whereby promoters, magazines, radio and record labels can better communicate. Roots ‘n’Blues’ centerpiece is its five-week festival in Parma province. Each weekend, a different Italian village showcases its local cuisine while hosting a roster of American Blues artists, primarily rural in origin. The result is a mix of Parma hospitality with American Blues music. Its website www.rootsandblues.org has become one of the most important sources for Blues music in Italy.
