Blues bridges generations

Monique Headley

Music makes a special bond for father Jeff Schoen and his 16-year-old son Joshua.

Joshua Schoen performed as part of the Blues In The Schools and Stillwater Blues Idol competition at the 12th annual Stillwater Blue Fest this weekend at Stillwater Community Center, Eighth Avenue and Duck Street.

“Seeing him perform is amazing,” said Jeff Schoen, a volunteer at the festival, which continues today from noon to 5 p.m. “He’s my son and I am proud of him.

“I started to learn to play guitar but never followed through. (Joshua) taught himself to play. He plays guitar, piano, drums, ukulele and bass.”

The opposite of nails on a chalkboard, when his son would practice, said Jeff Schoen, “I never wished he’d turn it down. I’d turn off the TV to listen to him play.”

A lifelong fan of blues music, said Joshua Schoen, he also likes punk rock, classical and experimental genres of music. He considers Jimi Hendrix and Queen to be among his favorite performers, but he’s moving into more of his father’s music, too.

“I’ve always listened to country,” said Jeff Schoen. “After four years of playing, (Joshua) just learned a Garth Brooks song.”

Joshua Schoen said he has enjoyed playing at the Blues Fest.

“It’s definitely cool getting on stage and performing in front of everybody,” he said.

He also appreciated festival rehearsal sessions.

“Practice for Blues In The Schools was structured but not restrictive,” he said. “Ms. Short was great pulling everything together. She really helped us go forward but pretty much we had free range to use our creativity.”