By Susan Hornik
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/19/25 – “Juneteenth represents progress and how far this country has come,” said Trepagnier. “When I was growing up in New Orleans, I didn’t know anything about it because the history was not common knowledge and was even said to be hidden. The information is readily available now and taught in schools as well. This just goes to show you we may not be exactly where we want to be as a country, but changes have been made for the betterment of society so we can get to where we need to be.”
The Long Beach Blues Society has been working with the Belmont Shore Business Association for more than 10 years. This is the first year where they have collaborated in a partnership across all Stroll and Savor events throughout the summer months, in what they are calling ‘Blues Alley.’
“As a Black musician, playing on Juneteenth is more than music—it’s honoring my ancestors, celebrating our culture, and using sound as a form of freedom.” enthused guitarist Tywaun ‘Bud’ Moore.
“Juneteenth is a time to honor my ancestors and recognize their strength,” acknowledged Moore. “It reminds me that my very existence is an act of survival and resilience. It’s a celebration of Black joy, creativity, and culture. It’s not just about what was taken—it’s about what we’ve built. It’s about hope—the belief that change is possible, even if it takes longer than it should. Juneteenth reminds me to keep pushing forward.”
Moore, Trepagnier and Dig Lewis are all playing together for The Bill Grisolia Band.
“It was an honor to be asked to play on Juneteenth, as we celebrate the music of the blues, which is a quintessentially black American music,” said Grisolia. “We are happy to celebrate this federal holiday with the community and recognize that it is appropriate to honor and celebrate Black culture and contributions to our community and the United States. We are in solidarity with those who would help us remember the history of slavery and emancipation and the enforcement of the rule of law in this country.”
Added bassist Lewis: It was one day and time of the beginnings of the showings of the true face in the American mirror. The historical and cultural time that put the true divisiveness of this country on the front page of history. A day that could have been a rejoiceful day for the enslaved, but for the fact that America wanted to keep it and Black History a secret. And made an effort to make sure that most of the Black American population never knew anything about it until fairly recently.”
Lewis continued: “It’s a reminder of what Black people have/are going through. A day of Blacks remembering where we’ve come from and how we got here but for the ones before us that had to carry so much on their shoulders and backs and always pushed forward! We were and are a community of the planets’ original people. We had to fight for the privilege to have rights. Written into the American Constitution that we are/were less than human and therefore less than a man. Therefore, I believe it is a great day for our people to come together as one and show the world that Juneteenth is a special day of reckoning to show the world who and what we are.”
