Saturday Lineup:
Gayle Dean Wardlow – 11:15am
Paramount History Lecture – In the Zaun Pavillion
World-renowned Paramount historian and writer Gayle Dean Wardlow will present a lecture on Paramount Records History. From his Wiki page: “Wardlow is an American historian of the blues. He is particularly associated with research into the lives of musicians Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson and the historical development of the Delta Blues, on which he is a leading world authority has published many articles on blues history, and the book Chasin’ That Devil Music – Searching for the Blues,which was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006 as a classic of blues literature.
The lecture is free to festival attendees and is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Wiki
Joe Filisko Harmonica Workshop – 12:30pm
Revered as a master player, teacher, custom harmonica pioneer, researcher and historian, Joe Filisko is arguably the world’s foremost authority on many aspects of the diatonic harmonica and a key figure in today’s harmonica scene. Over the past 20 years he has had a tremendous influence on the developments in all aspects of the culture of the instrument. READ MORE
The workshop is free, but you’ll need to sign up HERE. This workshop is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Website
Matt Hendricks – Noon
Matt’s style of blues is steeped more from the South than it is from Chicago so he is able to fit with a variety of acts and venues and he is equally at home in a solo setting or with his trio. Lots of fingerpickin’ and slide guitar mixed in with a bluesy voice and topped off with great original tunes.
Website | Listen
Eric Noden Guitar Workshop – 1:30pm
Deeply rooted in the music of 20’s & 30’s blues pioneers Eric Noden’s percussive guitar work, timeless songwriting and well-traveled blues vocals have earned the respect of audiences, critics, and musicians worldwide. Eric is a one man band, a musician, songwriter, actor, and educator who continues to re-invent traditional blues and roots music for today’s audiences. READ MORE
The workshop is free, but you’ll need to sign up HERE. This workshop is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Website | Facebook | Watch Video
Altered Five Blues Band – 1pm
Proclaimed “a staple of the Midwest’s band scene” and “a festival favorite” by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in 2012, Altered Five’s delectable brew of blues and soul is now quickly gaining national attention. READ MORE
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Joe Moss – 2:15pm
Few blues performers walk the walk to the degree of Chicago based guitarist/bandleader Joe Moss. One of the hardest working performers on the scene today. Not just an imitator of the music’s glorious past, he strives to find his own sound and material within the styles he chooses to play. And the music world is taking notice. READ MORE
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Sharrie Williams – 4pm
Sharrie has given great and unforgettable performances at blues festivals and clubs throughout the world and has collaborated and appeared with Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, Mavis Staples, Van Morrison, Dizzy Gillespie, Larry McCray, Sugar Blue, Bobby Bland, Walter Trout, Johnny Taylor, and Joanna Connor, just to name a few. Her influences include Koko Taylor, Etta James, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, and the legendary Billie Holiday–each of whom have helped shape her unique style. READ MORE
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Zac Harmon – 6pm
Born and raised in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi, Zac Harmon is a true disciple of the music that emanated from the city’s historic Farish Street district, universally recognized as the home of such great blues legends like the late, great Elmore James. READ MORE
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Rick Estrin & the Nightcats – 8pm
Rick Estrin serves up fresh and modern original blues injected with a solid dose of gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. Since the 2009 release of their celebrated Alligator Records debut, Twisted, the band has toured non-stop, honing their creative synergy to a razor’s edge. Night after night, the band blazes their own innovative musical path while still remaining true to the blues. READ MORE
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