Valerie Turner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Valerie Turner
Nationality	American
Education	New York University
Occupation	Guitarist, vocalist, educator and author
Spouse(s)	Benedict Turner

Valerie Turner is an American blues musician. She plays the guitar and sings. She is also a teacher and an author. Valerie plays in the Piedmont blues style. This means she uses a special fingerpicking way of playing the guitar. She follows the traditions of famous blues artists like Mississippi John Hurt and Elizabeth Cotten. Valerie performs many types of music, including blues, country, and gospel songs. She grew up in New York but has family roots in Virginia and Georgia. She started learning traditional country blues guitar in 1978. Valerie and her husband, Benedict Turner, are a music duo called Piedmont Blūz. They share the history of early blues music with their audiences.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Valerie Turner started playing music when she was very young. She began with the ukulele at about four years old. Then, she learned the guitar when she was around nine. Her dad listened to classical music and jazz, and her mom enjoyed African and Calypso music. Valerie's first music lessons were for Spanish classical guitar. Before becoming a blues artist, she studied education and computer science in college. She worked in technology for many years. She met her husband, Benedict Turner, in 1985.

Musical Journey and Career

Valerie's path to playing the blues began with a music book. The book had pictures of the American South. These pictures reminded her of her family's southern background. She said, "Once I heard it, I really loved it, and I knew that I wanted to play it." She taught herself for many years by listening to old records. As she became more interested, she found teachers like John Cephas and Woody Mann. They helped her master the Piedmont fingerpicking style.

Her husband, Benedict, also became interested in music. He said, "I had never played an instrument before I met Valerie." One day, he found a washboard and brought it home as a joke. Now, Benedict plays bones, washboard, and harmonica. He even designs his own musical washboards! He learned to play by himself and from other musicians. Benedict explains that African Americans often used everyday items to make music. This was because they didn't always have money for store-bought instruments. He is proud to continue this tradition.

As the duo "Piedmont Blūz," Valerie and Benedict have played at many music festivals. These include the Chicago Blues Festival. They have also performed in other countries like Ireland, Germany, and Israel.

Books and Teaching

In 2017, Valerie wrote a book called Piedmont Style Country Blues Guitar Basics. Her husband, Benedict, designed the book. It helps people learn how to play country blues guitar in the Piedmont style. The book includes songs, audio files, and lessons on different guitar techniques. The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., has a copy of this book.

Valerie also teaches guitar workshops. She focuses on the Piedmont fingerpicking style. Benedict teaches percussion workshops using washboards and bones. Together, they teach workshops about the history of early blues music.

Musical Style and Influences

Valerie's guitar playing is like that of her mentor, John Cephas. Her style is also similar to famous blues musicians such as Mississippi John Hurt, Etta Baker, and Elizabeth Cotten.

Instruments She Plays

• Ron Phillips single cone parlor resonator guitar
• 1929 Art-i-so parlor guitar

Music Albums

• 2015 – Country Blues Selections: This album has many different songs from the country blues tradition.
• 2019 – Ambassadors of Country Blues: This album includes blues, gospel, and traditional songs.

Awards and Recognition

Valerie and Benedict have received several honors for their music:

• 2018 – New York Blues Hall of Fame (Valerie Turner – Great Blues Artist)
• 2018 – New York Blues Hall of Fame (Benedict Turner – Great Blues Artist)
• 2018 – New York Blues Hall of Fame (Piedmont Blūz – Great Blues Duo)