Written By Kendesi Mohammed

On a warm summer evening in Downtown Silver Spring, the blues came alive in a way that only authentic music can. Thousands of festivalgoers gathered for the 17th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival, a free community event that transformed the heart of Silver Spring into a celebration of one of America's most influential musical traditions. Among the evening's most anticipated performers was Mud Morganfield, the eldest son of blues legend Muddy Waters.

For blues fans, Morganfield's appearance was more than another concert. It was a living connection to the roots of Chicago blues and to a musical legacy that helped shape modern American music.

Born Larry Williams in Chicago in 1954, Mud Morganfield is the eldest son of Muddy Waters, widely regarded as the father of modern Chicago blues. Although he spent much of his early life outside the music business, Morganfield eventually embraced the family tradition and developed a successful career of his own. His deep voice and phrasing often remind audiences of his father, while his performances carry the experiences and perspective of his own journey.

The Morganfield family has played an important role in preserving the blues. Mud's half-brother, Big Bill Morganfield, became an acclaimed blues singer and guitarist, while their late brother, Mojo Morganfield, dedicated himself to both music and the preservation of his father's history. Together, they helped ensure that the influence of Muddy Waters would continue long after his passing.

When Mud Morganfield took the stage in Silver Spring, the crowd responded immediately. Families, longtime blues enthusiasts, and first-time listeners filled the festival grounds. As the music began, people danced in the streets, sang along to familiar rhythms, and celebrated a genre that continues to connect generations.

What stood out most was not simply the performance itself but the atmosphere it created. The blues has always been music born from struggle, perseverance, joy, and community. Morganfield's presence reminded the audience that these stories remain relevant today.

The Silver Spring Blues Festival has become one of the region's premier blues events, bringing together nationally recognized artists alongside local performers for an entire day of music. This year's lineup featured more than a dozen acts, culminating with Mud Morganfield's performance and an all-star blues jam led by pianist and bandleader Daryl Davis.

For those in attendance, the evening offered something increasingly rare in modern life: a chance to experience history through live music. Watching Mud Morganfield perform was not merely entertainment. It was a reminder that great cultural traditions survive because each generation chooses to carry them forward.

As the final notes echoed through Downtown Silver Spring, one thing was clear: the legacy of Muddy Waters remains alive, and through artists like Mud Morganfield, the blues continues to find new audiences while honoring its past.

Photography + Written By Kendesi Mohammed

Last night, I had the privilege of being surrounded by some of the region's top photographers and the true kings and queens of the blues. It was an unforgettable experience.

The performances were breathtaking from beginning to end. I walked so much that my feet were hurting by the end of the night, but it was worth every step. Armed with my camera, I captured more than 1,000 photographs from every angle imaginable, documenting the energy, passion, and artistry that filled the streets of Downtown Silver Spring.

I attended the 17th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival on Saturday, June 20, 2026, a day-long celebration of blues music that brought together talented musicians, devoted fans, photographers, and members of the community.

The lineup featured an incredible collection of performers:

• Piedmonsters
• DRT-y Blues
• Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Ensemble
• Tom Walbank
• Lucie & Luna Blues
• School of Rock Doin' the Blues
• Cathy Ponton King featuring Curtis Pope
• Dave Cole & Main Street Blues
• Nella B. & The Noise
• Soul Crackers featuring Tommy Lepson
• Mud Morganfield with the Daryl Davis Chicago Blues Band
• SSBF All-Star Jam led by Daryl Davis

The festival was expertly hosted by Ida Campbell of WPFW-FM and Willie Leebel of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, whose passion for preserving and promoting the blues was evident throughout the event.

One of the highlights of the evening was watching Nella B. & The Noise deliver a powerful performance that energized the crowd and showcased why they continue to gain recognition throughout the blues community.

Events like the Silver Spring Blues Festival remind us that music is more than entertainment. It is culture, history, storytelling, and community all rolled into one. From the first performance of the morning to the final jam session of the night, the festival celebrated the enduring spirit of the blues and the people who keep it alive.

I left with tired feet, a camera full of memories, and an even greater appreciation for the artists, photographers, organizers, and fans who made the day such a success.

Meeting a Master Behind the Lens: John Mathew Smith 

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

At the 17th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with photographer John Mathew Smith. What started as a conversation about photography quickly became a lesson in storytelling, patience, and the art of capturing a moment that can last forever.

Smith is an accomplished American historical and celebrity photographer, publicist, and archivist based in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the course of several decades, he has built a remarkable body of work documenting some of the world's most recognizable figures. His photographs are known for their authenticity, often capturing candid and intimate moments that reveal the humanity behind public figures.

During our conversation, we discussed photography, music, and what it takes to capture the perfect shot. As someone who spent the day photographing the festival from every angle, I appreciated hearing insights from a photographer whose work has documented history itself.

Smith's portfolio includes photographs of some of the most influential people of the modern era, including Princess Diana, Coretta Scott King, John Lewis, Colin Powell, Halle Berry, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Patti LaBelle, John Denver, Pelé, and Yogi Berra.

His work is distributed through his archive platform and has appeared in publications, books, and media outlets around the world. Many of his photographs have also been preserved through public archives, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate these moments in history.

As photographers, we often focus on the technical side of the craft: cameras, lenses, lighting, and settings. But conversations like the one I had with John Mathew Smith serve as a reminder that photography is ultimately about people, stories, and preserving moments that matter.

Meeting him at the Silver Spring Blues Festival was one of the highlights of the day. It was an opportunity to learn from someone who has spent a lifetime documenting history through a camera lens and proving that one photograph can tell a story that lasts for generations.

Written By Kendesi Mohammed 

In a literary landscape increasingly shaped by stories of self discovery and resilience, emerging author Chyna Mone’t delivers a striking debut with The Traveling Letter, a novel that blends emotional depth, personal transformation, and the quiet courage it takes to confront the past.

The story follows Rayne, a disciplined and ambitious graduate student pursuing her master’s degree at South Florida University. Rayne has spent her entire life following the rules, determined to build a future defined by stability, success, and purpose. But beneath her drive lies a single unresolved mistake, a lingering regret that shadows every step she takes.

With the unexpected guidance of her Chemistry professor, Rayne is presented with a rare opportunity, the chance to face that mistake directly, to revisit a moment she once wished she could rewrite. As Rayne steps into this emotional journey, the novel asks a universal question, one that stretches far beyond fictional borders: If given the chance, can we really change our fate

Mone’t uses Rayne’s story to explore themes of accountability, healing, and the power of mentorship. The novel also reflects the pressures young women face as they strive for academic and personal excellence in a world that often demands perfection.

A Rising Literary Voice from Prince George’s County

The release of The Traveling Letter also introduces readers to Chyna Mone’t, a writer and educator whose creative roots trace back to Prince George’s County, Maryland. The founder of Dear Ms. Aphrodite, an empowerment driven platform centered on healing and global storytelling, Mone’t has dedicated much of her life to creating safe spaces for reflection and emotional growth.

Her journey as a writer began at the age of four, evolving over the years into a body of work shaped by her passion for culture, education, and human connection. The Traveling Letter is her newest offering, one that blends her academic background, her commitment to healing narratives, and her deep understanding of the quiet battles many readers will recognize in themselves.

A Novel Rooted in Real World Conversations

At its core, The Traveling Letter invites readers to examine how the past influences our present, and whether confronting old wounds can truly set us free. It is a timely release in an era when young adults face increasing pressures around identity, achievement, and emotional wellness.

Through Rayne’s journey, Mone’t presents a character who is both vulnerable and determined, a reflection of countless students navigating the challenges of higher education while shouldering personal histories that often go unseen.

Availability

The Traveling Letter is now available for pre order for 20. Early readers and educators have praised the book for its relatable themes, compelling narrative, and its ability to spark conversations about healing, accountability, and the transformative power of storytelling.