Date: December 3, 2016
Place: Bradenton Riverwalk Park
Year after year, Bradenton Florida is host to one of the better blues events in the country and the latest Blues Fest was one of the very finest. The Festivities were sold out on Saturday and the park was literally filled with Blues aficionados from all over the country. The perfect weather along with good food and drink just put the icing on the cake. The organizers out did themselves in signing some of the best acts available at that time slot.
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones featuring Monster Mike Welch was a highlight of the early afternoon on the main stage. Sugar Ray Norcia (on harp and vocals) and Monster Mike Welch (on searing lead guitar) complement each other well and was a crowd favorite during their much too short set.
Blues Journeyman Larry McCray took the stage front & center. It became evident that Big Mac knows his way around the fret-board as he delivered his Saginaw Michigan based style of the blues in a non-stop, rousing set.
Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots are rapidly gaining popularity as one of the very best acts to come out of the country. Victor & company tour the states and the world making believers out of every venue they play. Victor connects with the audience via his soulful southern vocals and expertise on the keyboards, while the band is tight and just as entertaining. The crowd wasn't nearly ready for Victor & the boys to exit, however, always in demand, he would return in cameo appearances with other groups as the day went on.
In between acts on the main stage, the music continued on a an intimate, small acoustic side stage featuring Ilana Katz Katz on violin and vocals. I will do a special feature article on this remarkable young lady very soon, reviewing her debut CD.
Jason Ricci is something to behold live & in person. He is a ball of fire and a blues dynamo when he launches onto a stage. I find it hard to describe his raw blues energy, but if some of you remember Jerry Lee Lewis in his prime . . you get the picture . . only instead of a piano, Jason does it right with the harp. Ricci satisfied the crowd with songs from his vast catalog of blues standards & originals. John Lisi was special guest on guitar and he showcased his multi talent on the Stratocaster.
As the sun was setting, it was time for the Blues Veterans to show the youngsters how it is done! The Golden State/ Lone Star Revue was built from the ground up with guys who have been around the block or two. World class guitarist Little Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh form the elite guitar section of the band. R W Grigsby on electric & upright bass. Then on vocals and superb harp is non other than Mark Hummel. Easily my personal favorite of the festival.
Things were coming to a close as the headliner Ronnie Baker Brooks was introduced. Ronnie fired up the audience with his burning Chicago blues guitar style and smooth but powerful vocals. Son of legendary blues man Lonnie Brooks, It was evident he was tutored in that music starting at a very young age. Ronnie was doing some things from the much anticipated release of his new recording: Times Have Changed, also some traditional blues standards and previously recorded songs. It was a great ending to a stellar day full of blues. With a media photo pass I was granted the privilege of taking a few photographs with my trusty Nikon and will post for your enjoyment.
Place: Bradenton Riverwalk Park
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones featuring Monster Mike Welch was a highlight of the early afternoon on the main stage. Sugar Ray Norcia (on harp and vocals) and Monster Mike Welch (on searing lead guitar) complement each other well and was a crowd favorite during their much too short set.
Blues Journeyman Larry McCray took the stage front & center. It became evident that Big Mac knows his way around the fret-board as he delivered his Saginaw Michigan based style of the blues in a non-stop, rousing set.
Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots are rapidly gaining popularity as one of the very best acts to come out of the country. Victor & company tour the states and the world making believers out of every venue they play. Victor connects with the audience via his soulful southern vocals and expertise on the keyboards, while the band is tight and just as entertaining. The crowd wasn't nearly ready for Victor & the boys to exit, however, always in demand, he would return in cameo appearances with other groups as the day went on.
In between acts on the main stage, the music continued on a an intimate, small acoustic side stage featuring Ilana Katz Katz on violin and vocals. I will do a special feature article on this remarkable young lady very soon, reviewing her debut CD.
Jason Ricci is something to behold live & in person. He is a ball of fire and a blues dynamo when he launches onto a stage. I find it hard to describe his raw blues energy, but if some of you remember Jerry Lee Lewis in his prime . . you get the picture . . only instead of a piano, Jason does it right with the harp. Ricci satisfied the crowd with songs from his vast catalog of blues standards & originals. John Lisi was special guest on guitar and he showcased his multi talent on the Stratocaster.
As the sun was setting, it was time for the Blues Veterans to show the youngsters how it is done! The Golden State/ Lone Star Revue was built from the ground up with guys who have been around the block or two. World class guitarist Little Charlie Baty and Anson Funderburgh form the elite guitar section of the band. R W Grigsby on electric & upright bass. Then on vocals and superb harp is non other than Mark Hummel. Easily my personal favorite of the festival.
Things were coming to a close as the headliner Ronnie Baker Brooks was introduced. Ronnie fired up the audience with his burning Chicago blues guitar style and smooth but powerful vocals. Son of legendary blues man Lonnie Brooks, It was evident he was tutored in that music starting at a very young age. Ronnie was doing some things from the much anticipated release of his new recording: Times Have Changed, also some traditional blues standards and previously recorded songs. It was a great ending to a stellar day full of blues. With a media photo pass I was granted the privilege of taking a few photographs with my trusty Nikon and will post for your enjoyment.
