Friday June 18, 2010 - 6:30 p.m.
Tinsley Ellis
Southern blues-rocker Tinsley Ellis may speak no evil, but he sings and plays with the conviction of, as Billboard wrote, "...a man possessed." Over the course of 11 albums and literally thousands of live performances, Ellis easily ranks as one of today’s most electrifying blues-rock guitarists and vocalists. He attacks his music with rock power and blues feeling, in the same tradition as his deep south musical heroes Duane Allman and Freddie King and his old friends Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. Atlanta Magazine declared Ellis "the most significant blues artist to emerge from Atlanta since Blind Willie McTell."
Friday June 18, 2010 - 8:30 p.m.
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
Rare indeed is the artist with the virtuosity to draw the unqualified respect of some of the most iconic legends in jazz and the ability to deliver a high-energy funk rock show capable of mesmerizing international rock stars. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is one such artist – and there is no one else like him.
Saturday June 19, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.
Hix Brothers Junior All Stars
Aurora’s first family of music, the Hix Brothers, promise to provide the cream of the crop of young students of the Blues.
Saturday June 19, 2010 - 3:30 p.m.
Guy King and his “Little Big Band”
http://www.guyking.net/
The Guy King Band is a blues band that draws its influences from different eras and areas of the blues. It is a soulful and unique blend of gutbucket blues with the "uptown" soul and jazz styles.
Saturday June 19, 2010 - 5:15 p.m.
Ronnie Baker Brooks
http://www.ronniebakerbrooks.com/
Chicago guitar hero Ronnie Baker Brooks is carrying the torch from the previous generation of soul and blues greats and moving the music into the future. As the son of blues great Lonnie Brooks, he came of age watching the fieriest guitar players and most soulful singers of a previous era express their deepest feelings through their music.
Saturday June 19, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.
"Joined at the Hip" featuring Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith with special guests Hubert Sumlin and Bob Margolin
Don't miss these legends of blues performing together in this unprecedented tour.
Pinetop Perkins
http://www.pinetopperkins.com/
Pinetop Perkins is one of the last great Mississippi bluesmen still performing. He began playing blues around 1927 and is widely regarded as one of the best blues pianists. He’s created a style of playing that has influenced three generations of piano players and will continue to be the yardstick by which great blues pianists are measured.
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1936. At the age of 17 he ventured to Chicago where he heard Muddy Waters for the first time. Willie was hooked on the blues and the attraction to the music persuaded him to stay in Chicago.
Hubert Sumlin
In April 2000, a new Hubert Sumlin album was recorded that was expected to bring Hubert’s recognition in line with his accomplishments. The album was conceived and produced by Rolling Stones guitar player Keith Richards, wanting to play blues with Hubert. The album has an interesting and legitimate concept: applying Hubert’s guitar playing to Muddy Waters’ songs. It features Levon Helm on drums, David Maxwell on piano, Paul Oscher on harp, Mudcat Ward on bass, and Bob Margolin on guitar. Keith Richards recorded "Two Trains Runnin’" with just him and Hubert. Eric Clapton plays and sings on "I’m Ready" and "Long Distance Call." In January of 2005 that album titled "About Them Shoes" was released on Tone-Cool Records. On December 8, 2005, "About Them Shoes" was nominated for the 2006 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Bob Margolin
Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin is a blues guitar player and vocalist, carrying on the deep Chicago blues style and creating his original music today. From 1973-1980, Bob played guitar in the band of Chicago blues legend Muddy Waters, touring worldwide and recording, and learning to play Muddy's powerful music directly from him. In 1980, Bob started his own band, and he's still on the road and recording. He won the W. C. Handy award for guitar in 2005, and was nominated again in 2006.
Saturday June 19, 2010 - 8:30 p.m.
Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie Vaughan is far more than just one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the world of popular music, as well as a three-time Grammy winner. As Guitar Player magazine notes, “He is a virtual deity—a living legend.” After all, Vaughan provides vital link between contemporary music and its proud heritage, as well as being a longtime avatar of retro cool.
