White House salutes the blues

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White House salutes the blues

President Obama joined B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck and others during the White House Music Series saluting Blues Music in recognition of Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, in the East Room of the White House.

B.B. King performs during the White House Music Series saluting Blues Music in recognition of Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, in the East Room of the White House.

President Barack Obama welcomes guests. "This music speaks to something universal," Obama said. "No one goes through life without both joy and pain, triumph and sorrow. The blues gets all of that, sometimes with just one lyric or one note."

President Obama helps B.B. King onto stage before his performance.

B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Warren Haynes jam during the White House performance. King's set list included "Let the Good Times Roll" and "The Thrill is Gone."

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their guests listen to Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, Gary Clark Jr., B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Warren Haynes, Shemekia Copeland, Susan Tedeschi and Keb Mo. At the end of the evening, President Obama was persuaded to join in on singing "Sweet Home Chicago," the blues anthem of his hometown.

Jeff Beck greets B.B. King while a worker sets up. Beck later did an instrumental "Brush With the Blues."

L'Wren Scott, fashion designer and longtime companion of Mick Jagger, smiles as Jagger and others perform.

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B.B. King performs during the White House Music Series saluting Blues Music in recognition of Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, in the East Room of the White House.

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