The Chicago Blues Festival, June 7-10, 2007, once again earns the title of the world's largest free concert of its kind. Grant Park is the backdrop to six stages featuring a plethora of legendary men and women. The festival opens daily at 11:00 am with musical performances until 9:30 pm.
As the Chicago Blues Festival celebrates its 24th anniversary, it pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of the birth of two great piano players who bridged the two earliest generations of the blues community. Blues greats Albert Luandrew, better known as Sunnyland Slim and Albert Ammons, the protégé of Jimmy Yancey will both be honored. The festival will host a number of Piano Summits and Boogie Woogie Stomps. It will also feature many of the disciples who strive not only to keep piano music alive, but also perpetuate Chicago Blues as the worldwide icon of Blues music.
The festival will also share in the birthday celebrations of two Blues icons. This year marks the 80th birthday of the famed Big Jay McNeely. As customary, whenever the Blues Festival falls on June 10th, the festival pays tribute to Howlin' Wolf, who would have celebrated his 97th birthday. He will be remembered with a birthday cake, party and remembrances by family, friends and former band mates. Coinciding with the Blues Festival is the "Art of Play" featuring checker and dominos tables located near the Mississippi Tent on Columbus Drive.
The festival pays tribute not only to historic Blues icons, but also it highlights the best blues musicians in the modern era. The 2007 Blues Festival is privileged to have Chicago's great harmonica player and "Sons of Blues" band leader, Billy Branch, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band's founding. Billy, who has kept the band alive over the years, will unite the many artists who have been instrumental in making Chicago the Blues Capitol of the World.
Check the Chicago Blues Festival website for further details - the following artists have already been announced:
Irma Thomas and the Professionals, Koko Taylor and the Blues Machine, Jimmy Dawkins, Willie Clayton, Bobby Rush, David Dee and Family, Mighty Joe Young Jr. featuring Chontella Renee, Carl Weathersby, The Honeydripper All-Stars featuring Gary Clark Jr., Eddie Shaw, Arthur Lee Williams, Henderson Huggins, Mabel John, and Maurice John Vaughn Blues Band
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment