Central Mississippi Blues Society

The Central Mississippi Blues Society (CMBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the blues and its culture throughout the Metro Jackson area and Central Mississippi region. Founded in 2006, CMBS works to keep the blues alive through the support of local, regional, and national artists, while fostering public appreciation and understanding of the genre.

CMBS supports musicians and blues venues by encouraging live performance, most visibly through Blue Monday, a weekly blues jam held at Hal & Mal's for nearly 20 years. The organization also serves as a forum for the Central Mississippi area, connecting people who share a love of the blues and exchanging information about blues-related events across the region.

Education is central to CMBS's mission. Through programs like Blues in the Schools, the organization introduces students to instruments such as the harmonica, partnering with area schools to provide hands-on instruction. CMBS also supports charitable and educational activities that benefit both individuals and the broader community, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under Mississippi's Nonprofit Corporations Act. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization helped musicians offset lost income from canceled performances.

CMBS further sponsors community events that benefit the general public, and it has invested in its long-term sustainability by establishing an endowment fund through the Community Foundation for Mississippi.

Led by president Keith Collins, CMBS continues a mission rooted in preservation, education, and community — ensuring the blues remain a living, shared tradition in Jackson and beyond.