The Blues Devils Reunion Band will perform its brand of blues, Motown and R&B at noon Friday in Tifton Gardens downtown during the weekly Concert in the Gardens seriessponsored by The Tifton Gazette and Main Street Tifton.

Founded in 2002 by Woody Leonard, who was then Tift County High School’s banddirector, the Blues Devils consisted of a male and a female vocalist, several brass and saxophone players and a rhythm section. According to Leonard, the group was created to expose high school students to the R&B and Motown style of music that influenced most of today’s hit artists. It also gave the members a taste of performing with a professional touring band.

The Blues Devils performed classic tunes from such notable writers as the Bar-Kays, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and Aretha Franklin.

“This reunion band is the result of many conversations among the former members and them wanting to get the band back together,” Leonard said. “These guys are all out of high school and most are attending college.”

Leonard said many of the members of the group have performed in various musical organizations, such as those at ABAC, Valdosta State College, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.

Blackbird, a local rock band recently featured on the hit TV show “The Next Great American Band,” got their start playing together in The Blues Devils. Leonard said the group’s first reunion, held last year, was “a huge success.”

People are encouraged to bring their lunch and either a blanket or a lawn chair to enjoy the free concerts in Tifton Gardens. The free concerts continue each Friday during the month.

The Blues Devils Reunion Bandwill also perform at 7p.m. Friday at Howard Auditorium on the ABAC campus. The group will be joined by the current TCHS Blues Devils, the Valdosta High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by TCHS and ABAC alumnus Andrew Hill, and the Marlene Bowen Group. Tickets to that event are $10 each and may be purchased by calling 229-848-0681.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4231.