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Marcia Ball

www.npr.org

Marcia Ball's mantel is getting to be cluttered, but she doesn't mind.  As a pianist, Ball has been honored with six Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Awards and four Living Blues Awards for Outstanding Musician.  There are many other awards and nominations too numerous to mention.  Plus, Ball has been inducted into the Gulf Coast Music and Louisiana Music Halls of Fame.  Born in Texas and raised in Louisiana, Ball's piano style includes elements of zydeco, swamp blues, Louisiana blues and boogie woogie.  Her chief inspiration is New Orleans vocalist Irma Thomas.  Ball's solo career includes 15 years with Rounder Records and another 15 with Alligator Records (her current label).  Ball was touring on "The Tattooed Lady & The Alligator Man" when she headlined the first night of JazzFest 2015 at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, a presentation of the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society.