Rita Chiarelli is seen in this still from “Music From the Big House”
Canadian blues singer Rita Chiarelli had been making pilgrimages to the cradle of the blues in the Mississippi when she learned about the Louisiana State Penitentiary – commonly known as Angola prison.
Angola is legendary for harsh conditions… blues and folk legend known as Leadbelly did time in Angola, and he wasn’t the only blues musician to do so. Chiarelli was preparing for a concert at Angola when she was struck by the quality and gravitas of the musicians spending time behind bars at the facility. After a set of concerts at Angola she decided that rather than simply entertain the inmates, she would lead a concert during which she would play with musicians who were serving time.
Country legend Johnny Cash performed many concerts at prisons like Folsom and San Quentin during his storied career, but never played with the convicts.
Rita will be performing music from the film at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica this evening, Wednesday, June 13 following the 7:30 pm screening of the film. “Music from the Big House” opens at the Laemmle Music Hall on Friday, June 15, with Rita performing following the 7:20 pm screening.