About Us

Preserving the Heritage

Promoting the Music

Educating The Public

Preservation Hall Band

Vocals and Keyboards

Jose Santos.

Photo By: Judy Tate

About us

RIRBPS started as an ambitious idea of Dr. Edward A. Coates, ED.D, a self taught, former part-time rhythm & blues musician, who, together with a small group of grassroots R&B lovers and performers, founded and incorporated the Society December 1, 2003. The Society received advanced approval as a 501©(3) non-profit organization in July 2004. The Society ensures that the R&B desires of members with special tastes and interests, as well as the desires of the broader membership and community, are met at some level in the organization mission. A Board of Directors and set of By-Laws governs the Society.

The Society reaches out within the state diverse communities to spread the word about the rich musical heritage and history of the music style. Providence communities of the West Side, East Side and South Side have deep roots in the perpetuation and spread of R&B music throughout the state. The Society focuses primarily on local artists and contributing communities.

RIRBPS is the home of the popular Preservation Hall Rhythm & Blues Band. It is also the home of R&B projects and programs, to include collecting local oral histories of the early R&B era, purchasing musical instruments for underprivileged children, conducting R&B education workshops for the public, creating an R&B Hall of Fame for local performers and raising funds to support non-profit organizations that provide afterschool music programs for underprivileged children and final burial expenses for performers in need to name a few.

The Society is supported by membership fees, donations and fund raisers where jam sessions are held and hats and tee shirts are sold. The Hall Band is the primary fund raising tool of the organization.

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the RI Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society to promote and preserve the Blues through activities, events and public education.