"Sittin' and Cryin the Blues"

MOSE ALLISON: GRADUATION DAY I GOT A JOB IN A HONKY TONK IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI SO MISSED THE GRADUATION AND WENT TO WORK AT BILL BENNETT'S CLUB ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF JACKSON.

RUFFIN: BEFORE NEA JAZZ MASTER MOSE ALLISON MOVED TO NEW YORK IN THE MID-1950S, HE ABSORBED THE BLUES OF HIS NATIVE MISSISSIPPI. 

ALLISON: ACTUALLY THERE WAS TWO OR THREE HAPPENING CLUBS AROUND JACKSON, MS AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS A COUPLA BLACK CLUBS OUT IN THE SAME AREA. AND I REMEMBER GOING OUT. BB. KING WAS THERE. PERCY MAYFIELD WAS IN TOWN THERE ONE TIME. THAT WAS RIGHT AFTER GETTING OUT OF COLLEGE AND SO I JUST STAYED WITH IT EVER SINCE. 

"Ever Since I Stole the Blues"

RUFFIN: THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH 2013 NEA JAZZ MASTER MOSE ALLISON WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

Music Credit: Excerpt of "Sittin' and Cryin" written and performed by Willie Dixon with Memphis Slim, from the CD, Willie's Blues, used courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment, and used by permission of BMG Chrysalis (BMI).