Summertime is festival time, and some will be mentioned in this column. Plus there are special events, news briefs, visiting musicians, and CDs and DVDs to talk about.
So let’s check up on the last three months.

• FESTIVAL MAGAZINE

May is the month when festivals begin. The season goes through November in some places. You could attend blues festivals around the world, especially if you had a copy of the magazine, “Blues Festival Guide,” that comes out each year.

It lists  about 66 festivals, and has some informative information. Check out their website: http://www.BluesFestivalGuide.com or write RBA Publishing.LLC/Blues Festival Guide, P.O.Box 50635, Reno, Nevada 89513. Their phone number is 775/337-8626 and their fax number is 775/337-6499.

• SOME CALIFORNIA FESTIVALS

The Metro Fountain Blues Festival at San Jose State University usually kicks off the season here the middle of May. The lineup for this 26th annual event was: Magic Slim & The Teardrops; Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings; The Craig Horton Band with special guest Rusty Zinn; The Debbie Davies Band; Jonny A; and The Daniel Castro Band.

The 14th annual Santa Cruz Blues Festival was held the end of May. Saturday’s featured performers were: B.B.King; Roomful of Blues; Coco Montoya; Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers; and Mighty Mike Schermer. Sunday’s lineup was: Los Lobos; John Hiatt; North Mississippi Allstars; Dave Alvin & The Guilty Men; and The Boneshakers. As a note, B.B.King celebrated his 80th birthday by playing this festival and the Sonoma Jazz Fest.

The middle of June brought the llth annual Russian River Blues Festival to the Guerneville area, about two hours north of San Francisco. Saturday’s artists were: Chicago Blues Reunion with Harvey Mandel, Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites; Tracy Nelson; Sam Lay; and Corky Siegel; Al Kooper & The Funky Faculty; Sista Monica Parker; Pinetop Perkins & the Willie “Big Eyes” Smith Band; and David Jacobs-Strain Trio. Sunday’s musicians were: Taj Mahal Trio; Floyd Dixon; Corey Harris & The 5 x5 Band; Angela Strehli; and Larry McCray. Earl Thomas performed both days on the Wine Garden Stage.

• THE BIGGIE

The 21st annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival, (MBBF), held for three days at the end of June, had the largest number of acts. The five Main Stage shows had 16 acts, while the smaller Garden and Presidents stages had 20 or 21 acts each. Even though there was a variety of music, sometimes beyond the blues, there were a lot of repeat acts. Some groups have played there seven times, which is too much. Some new blues blood would be fitting for a blues festival.

Again, since there are so many acts, the focus will be on the main stage events plus a few comments about the smaller stage performances.

Friday’s night performances on the Main Stage were the controversial Sai Whatt group and Delbert McClinton. Some said  the first group was good, while others said they sounded like the Dells or were heavy duty disco and almost disharmonic. McClinton was soulful in his performance, and reflected his various styles of blues, country, soul, and rock music.

There were two shows on Saturday in the Main Arena.  A very serious Gregg Wright, winner of  MBBF’s Battle of the Blues Bands competition, opened the afternoon show. His vocals and guitar playing were very impressive, and he played melodic, soulful blues.

Then Buckwheat Zydeco played a happy, upbeat zydeco show on his accordian. The next two acts, Dorothy Moore and  Clarence Carter, have been at this show many times and are always entertaining. Dorothy was honored by the MBBF with their Lifetime Acievement Award for her contribution to the blues.

The Saturday evening show was one of the highlights of the festival. John “Broadway” Tucker, who has also performed at this festival numerous times,  played mainly an R&B and soul set. He was the recipient of the 2006 MOBBAY AWARD for The Monterey Bay  Blues Artist of the Year. A painting of him was unveiled at the back of the stage. His Polish friend, Leszek Cichowski,  got his Visa at the last minute so he could play the festival with John. John played with this guitarist the last two years in Poland. Leszek was voted the best guitarist in Poland by the Poles. He played a searing, exciting electric guitar. Then Theodis Ealey packed some punches with his strong, high energy vocals and guitar playing. He played a blend of blues, country, rock, and soul, but got a little raunchy at the end.Vocalist, Denise LaSalle continued the show with old R&B favorites and her beyond the double entendre songs. She was entertaining with her humor and sassy attitude.

Issac Hayes was scheduled next, but had to cancel all his summer gigs due to a heart condition. The Four Kings of Rhythm & Blues replaced Hayes. This high energy group got together four years ago to perform, and have sold out 25 consecutive shows including the Apollo Theatre in New York. Each person sang some songs individually and then performed together.


It was a real treat to see a historical coupling of all- time R&B greats: the legendary Jerry Butler, the superb Ben E.King, the “priceless” Lloyd Price, and the memorable Gene Chandler. Butler has a massive amount of work to his credit, including having recorded the all-time great R&B standard, “For Your  Precious Love.” King, best known for his song, “Stand By Me,” has an amazing string of hits from the sixties til the present time. Price brought back memories and lived up to his hit, “Personality.” It was enjoyable to see Chandler, the “Duke of Earl,” strut his stuff. It was a great evening.

There were two more main stage shows on Sunday. The first show had gospel influences from the three performers.  Roy Tyler and New Directions knew how to make his spiritual voice appeal to secular music lovers. Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir played roots blues, Deep-South spirituals and soul-stirring work songs. Yolanda Adams mixed hiphop and R&B with her gospel music.

Eric Bibb, the acoustic blues troubadour, opened the second Sunday show  as a solo act. His gentle baritone vocals and melodic guitar playing were easy and pleasant to listen to. His music reflected a deep love of folk blues. The Chicago Blues Reunion was next. It featured guitarist, Harvey Mandel, harp master, Corkey Siegel, organist, Barry Goldberg, guitarist and composer, Nick Gravenites, drummer, Gary Mallaber, and vocalist, Tracy Nelson. Sam Lay, who was drummer for the bands of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Walter, was considered the group’s ” presiding spirit,” and sang a few songs. The Temptations, featuring  Dennis Edwards, headlined.



The two smaller stages had a continuous variety of music, but not as much blues as I would have liked. The second and third runners up for this year’s Battle of the Blues Bands played, as well as three other entrants from the group. That equaled six out of the ten band competitors playing at the festival. The winner, Gregg Wright, also performed on a small stage and was definitely the one to win the contest. Two winners from previous years, Big Mo and Shane Dwight, also performed. Dwight played an impressive rock and blues show.

J.C. Smith put on a good, solid blues show. Delta Wires played a mix of blues from Chicago’s South Side to the Mississippi Dellta.  Texas-born  Ms. Peaches, aka Alva Franklin, had a really good voice and lots of stage presence. After playing in the Johnnie Taylor band, she began working with Vernon Garrett’s band.
Even though Garrett played his own show, this R&B ballad and blues singer joined Ms. Peaches for two tunes. This duet lit up the stage with a dynamite performance. Guitarist, Tom Ball and harpist, Kenny Sultan, always put on an entertaining show with their  blend of country blues, rags, and just plain good-time music. The music of  Hurricane Sam and The Hotshots lured me into the fairgrounds with their danceable sounds and mellow horns.

Later in the day when I saw them on the other stage, it was surprising that the band was fronted by pianest and singer, Sam Radin, who has played with Chubby Checker and Frankie Lee, among others. This group encompassed blues to bebop, ragtime to rock “n” roll. The MBBF provided an enjoyable weekend.

If you are coming to San Francisco in September, check out the San Francisco Blues Festival . It is a three-day affair, and the lineup and bios are listed on the website: http://www.sfblues.com . It will be September 22-24-06. It should be a great lineup with such legends as: Irma Thomas, Ruth Brown, Little Richard and  many more. Check it out.!!!

• SPECIAL HAPPENINGS
  GREAT SHOWS IN SACRAMENTO

The Sacramento Heritage Festival, Inc. has great name shows throughout most of the year. Their April show’s theme was “Saints and Sinners,’ and featured Bobby Rush as the sinner; Howard Tate as the preacher; and W.D. Gospel Singers as the saints.
At the first part of June, they had a two-day event called “Hell or High Water Music Festival.”  Saturday’s Show featured Jackie Greene; Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials; Little Charlie & The Nightcats; Mumbo Gumbo; Bonnie Hayes; 40 Watt Hype; Alvon; Joe Walton & The Headhunters; and Stars of Glory. On Sunday, performers were: Michael Burks; Coco Montoya; Cafe R& B; Mem Shannon and the Membership; Eric Lindell; Toubab Krewe and W.D.Gospel Singers. For future events, check their website at http://www.sacheritagefest.com.

• GUITAR EXTRAVAGANZA

Rene Solis and Nitecry play in a music show every three months that they produce. In April, their Guitar Extravaganza featured Alvon; Johnny Nitro & The Doorslammers, and guest, Bobbie Webb. Rene does not consider himself a blues band, but said they do play blues. The band plays all original blues, rock, and American music, and represent the West Coast Sound.

• NAMES IN THE NEWS

The Fillmore Blues Legends are a newly formed group, consisting of Curtis Lawson, Fillmore Slim, and Bobbie Webb and The Smooth Blues Band.They have been booked for several gigs, both in the past few months as well as the upcoming months. There are only a few blues legends left that lived in the Fillmore District in San Francisco., and this group deserves some recognition after 30 or 40 years of playing music. They wanted to remind people that back in the day that there were a lot of clubs in the area that didn’t have bands. The clubs that did have bands mixed blues and jazz music, but there were more blues then. They hope to dispell the image that the Fillmore area was a jazz preservation area back in the day. These days the area will probably become more jazz oriented since groups like Yoshi’s Jazz Club are building a new club on Fillmore and  Eddy Streets.

Charlie Musselwhite won the award for the Best Instumentalist for Harmonica, at the 2006 Blues Music Awards in Memphis in May. These awards were formerly called the W.C. Handy Awards. A complete list of winners  is at: http://www.blues.org.

There was more good talent at the Sunday Blues & Jazz Club recently. Bay’s areas own, E.C. Scott openend for  guitarist & vocalist, Zac Harmon & vocalist, Bobby “Blue” Bland. Zac won this year’s Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut with his CD, “The Blues According to Zacariah.” Bobby’s golden voice is always pleasant to hear. It was a highly entertaining evening.

• MUSICIANS VISIT BAY AREA

We are lucky to have such good musicians traveling through the area. We were treated to the talents of: Curtis Salgado; Roomful of Blues; Rusty Zinn; John Hammond; Johnny Rawls; Willie “Big Eyes” Smith; Terry Hanck; Lee Rocker; Chuck Willis; Sista Monica; Johnny Winter; Taj Mahal; Mavis Staples; Coco Montoya; Robben Ford Band; Rose City Kings; Big Delta Blues; Wingnut Adams Blues Band; Carlos Guitaros; and Crosscut Blues Band, and others who played several gigs.

• CD & DVD NEWS
  BLUES UPDATE

I mentioned in this column several months ago that legendary blues singer, Monica Dupont, is recording her first album in 23 years. There have been a few setbacks, as she is permanently disabled, but I’m happy to announce that the album is back on track and will be finished by the end of the year. The CD is appropriately called “Life Goes On.” It will be dedicated to the late, great J.B. Hutto.

It will include some remarkable guest stars like: Guitar Giants  Ron Thompson, Hi Tide Harris, Ed King, from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Microwave Dave from Microwave Dave & The Nukes, Jimi James, of John Lee Hooker fame;  & Bobby Young, of the Bobby Young project. Harmonica Wizards will be Mark Hummel, Red Archibald, and British blues great, Wolfie Witcher and the Piano Virtuoso  will be Mitch Woods.

Blaine Hoopes, from LaVentana, and bluesman Bobbie Webb will be the Saxophone Greats, and the multi-talented, Buzzy Linhart, will play Vibes. Last, but certainly not least, jazz legend, Kenneth Nash, will be adding percussion. All but 3 songs in the album are originals written by Monica, who will do all the vocals. It is being produced by the phenomenal musician, Gary Novak, and is certain to be an extraordinary CD!! Remember, you heard it here first!

• NEW RELEASES

Blind Pig Records have issued five new CDs: Popa Chubby: “Stealing The Devil’s Guitar;” and Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King: “My Heart’s In Texas,”  which is available on CD or DVD. Their latest releases are: Albert Cummings: “Working Man,” Bill Perry, “Don’t Know Nothin’ About Love,” and Jeremy Spencer, “Precious Little.” Spencer is making a comeback after being part of the Fleetwood Mac legend 30 years ago.

Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s had a CD/DVD release party of his “Big Easy Boogie” in May. This is a double disc set and contains many Woods’ originals. The album is a tribute to the musicians in New Orleans.This sold-out event in Mill Valley featured horn players  Hardesty and Houstin, two of the alumni band from the Fats Domino years. In fact, all eight of the band members on the CD are former members of the Domino band. To top it off, horn player and producer, Dave Bartholomew, also was a former director of recordings from Domino’s band. For more information, check out Mitch’s website at: http://www.mitchwoods.com.

Mark Naftalin, musician, producer, and DJ, has just released a two -volume DVD set of some of the good talent at his Blue Monday Parties at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax during the early 80s. Both volumes are on one 60-minute DVD. Volume 1 features Lowell Fulson, Percy Mayfield, Ester Jones, Dr. Wild Willie Moore, Bobby Murray, Henry Oden, Fred Casey and Mark Naftalin. Volume 2  has John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Luther Tucker, Francis Clay, Henry Oden, Gary Silva, and Mark Naftalin. This DVD, plus other CDs and VHS Videos, can be purchased through Mark’s website which is: http://www.bluespower.com


Charlie Musselwhite’s new CD is called “Delta Hardware” and is on the Real World label. Willie G’s  new CD is “Fresh Cut.” Lady  Bianca calls her new albm: “All Of The Blues Clubs are Closed.”  “Better Than You Think” is the title of Alvin Sykes’ new CD. Rene Solis’ group, Nightcry, has a new CD out entitled,” Nightcry- Back in Town.’’ Jackie Greene’s new CD is called, “American Myth.” Eric Bibb & his father, Leon Bibb recorded a CD entitled, ”Praising Peace” which is a tribute to Paul Robeson on the Stony Plain Record label.

• UPCOMING NEWS

Ron Thompson & The Resistors recently recorded a live performance for a new CD. I hope they have a DVD too, since Ron needs to be seen to be believed.

Henry Oden says his CD ,”H.Oden,” can be downloaded at itunes, Liquid Ando, and Verizon Wireless. There are 3 CDs in the works from the Blues Express label.

Floyd Dixon’s new release is: “Fine! Fine! Thing!. He and his friends have recorded a CD/DVD with two other piano legends, Pinetop Perkins and  Henry Gray,and Kid Ramos on guitar on the High John Records label. Check out: http://www.highjohn.com for more information.

 Maria Bainer, July, 2006