BRBF was founded in 2002 by Johnny Palazzotto, Sherri McConnell, Rob Payer and Maxine Crump. BRBFmission statement is to provide music education to Louisiana public school students and to preserve, promote and market the origins of American Music "The Blues".

The Foundation is a 501 c3 non-profit entity presenting Music in the Schools throughout the State of Louisiana and annually presents The Slim Harpo Awards during Baton Rouge Blues Week.

Previous recipents of The Slim Harpo Awards are: Raful Neal, James Johnson, Rudy Richard, Kenny Neal, Tabby Thomas, Larry Garner, Mayor Kip Holden, Henry Gray, Chris Thomas King, Lazy Lester, Tab Benoit and Zia Tammami.

BRBF Board Members include Slim Harpo's son and grandson; William and Alonzo Gambler, Suzanne Marva, Pat McBride, Fabian Blache III, Rachel Emanuel, Erika Katayama and Malcom Robinson.

For more information contact: Johnny Palazzotto

Music in the Schools is a lecture / performance presented by The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, Inc. 501 c3. Music educators and professional muscians go into the schools and talk to students about the origins of American Music, much of which started in Louisiana. These musician / educators demonstrate how work chants and field hollerings became folk songs, blues music, gospel songs, jazz, rock n' roll and modern day hip-hop. The musicians demonstrate how music is composed, how songs are written and discuss with students the educational and employment opportunities through the Louisiana education system. They invite students to interact with them and give impromtu lessons and demonstrations of styles of music and how to play the instruments. Each musician/educator has a different presentation and instrument.

Available for Music in the Schools presentations: Alvin Batiste, Deacon John Moore, Bobby Campo & Mike Esneault, Buddy Flett, Theresa Andersson, Herman Jackson and Johnny Palazzotto

The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation mission statement is the preservation of blues music heritage in the State of Louisiana through Music in the Schools.