BLUES & BOOGIE: SAN FRANCISCO BLUES FESTIVAL 2003

SAN FRANCISCO BLUES FESTIVAL

The 31st Annual San Francisco Blues Festival kicked off with the free noontime concert on Friday, September 26, 2003 at Justin Herman Plaza. This year's "Battle of the Blues Harmonicas II" featured Leslie "Lazy Lester" Johnson (photo at right), Louisiana blues swamp legend. The youthful duo of Ben Hernandez on harmonica and Nathan James on guitar opened the show with a stellar performance of rural blues. Mitch Kashmar displayed his harmonica style along with wonderfully rich vocals. Mark Hummel represented Chicago-style harmonica playing and dedicated the tune "She's Got It" to legendary Chicago drummer Francis Clay who was in the audience. Lazy Lester chose to play the guitar when he performed the country-western influenced tune "Your Cheating Heart." This is always a day to get reacquainted with friends in town for the festival and a good time was had by all as the blues vibes spread joyfully over the Financial District.

Producer Tom Mazzolini opened up the festivities on Saturday with his welcoming remarks. The first act was the Blue Eyed Devils, a group of young musicians who are cutting quite a swath in the blues world with their jug band style. Their performance covered mostly original material including "The Blue Eyed Devils Blues," a jump style blues tune featuring Brendan Wheatley on harmonica and vocals, a great stand-up bass solo by Brett Klynn and Justin Markovits supporting on drums. "Caliphono Blues" was a highlight of their performance featuring Chris Cotton on guitar and vocalsóthis tune has interesting tempo changes with provocative lyrics relating to smoking, drinking, robbing and stealing over the loss of a woman.

Melvin Taylor (photo at left) and the Slack Band generated a sizzling display of Chicago electric blues. Taylor is a passionate guitarist with Jazz influences-images of Jimi Hendrix in the mix. Taylor's blinding guitar technique and soulful lyrics are masterful and were effectively demonstrated on his rendition of "Tin Pan Alley."

The set billed as "Shoutin' the Blues" included vocalists Tracy Nelson, Angela Strehli and Linda Tillery. The trio did a stunningly beautiful rendition of the tune "Mother Earth." The many Tracy Nelson fans were especially appreciative of this performance and all the ladies proved they had the blues.

Magic Slim and The Teardrops are the best example of raw-edged Chicago blues playing the circuit these days and their performance was riveting---the most impressive act of the day. Matthew Skoller accompanied the band on harmonica. Magic Slim's gritty vocals and sizzling guitar technique were on display especially on the tune "Get Your Business Straight." Slim proved once again why he is a giant of the blues in more ways than one.

Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo got a great response from the blues audience to their roots influenced style with Steve Miller joining the band on guitar.

Taj Mahal, an original when it comes to fusing a vast repertoire of musical styles, closed out the day's festivities captivating the audience with his rootsy take on the blues. His storytelling tune "Fishin' Blues" was delightful and had him shaking his booty to the appreciative fans. He even got in a little George Benson-inspired scatting on one tune with his gruff vocal style.

Taj Mahal

Dorothy Morrison

Sunday's show opened with the obligatory gospel act. Dorothy Morrison who achieved fame as the lead singer with the Edwin Hawkins Singers was the attraction and she performed her hit from 1968, "Oh Happy Day."

A surprise hit at the festival was the one-man performance by Ike Cosse on slide guitar and harmonica on a rack. His performance included original tunes including "Bad Decision" and "She's Expensive." Cosse's compositions are hilarious and down-to-earth storytelling. Cosse earned a richly deserved standing ovation and I certainly look forward to seeing this fantastic bluesman in the future.

The most riveting performance of the day was vocalist Bettye Lavette (photo at left). After years of struggling in the Detroit blues scene, Lavette is finally getting some recognition. Wrenching emotion, Lavette poured her soul into every eloquent note. Lavette's powerhouse version of "Serves Him Right" was scorching. Lavette ended her show sitting on the edge of the stage and most definitely stole the heart of everyone in the audience. A hard act to follow!

The Stax Soul Revue featured Eddie Floyd, Carla Thomas (better known as the daughter of the legendary Rufus Thomas), William Bell and Marvell Thomas leading the Memphis Soulstars Orchestra. This dynamite set displayed the talents of some unique soul vocalists who rarely perform on the West Coast but it was way too short!

Eddie Floyd

William Bell

Other performers of the day included Roomful of Blues and Nick Curran and the Nitelifes. Roomful of Blues entertained the crowd with their trademark swing-jump big band style. Nick Curranís performance was sensational with his T-Bone Walker-inspired guitar technique and husky vocal style.

The Tribute to Mike Bloomfield concluded the day with a group of performers who were heavily influenced by Bloomfield including Robben Ford (photo at left), Al Kooper (who appeared on stage in a hooded sweatshirt and sitting behind the keyboards where he could hardly be seen), Joe Louis Walker, Nick Gravenites, Chris Cain and the Ford Blues Band.

The San Francisco Blues Festival is the granddaddy of blues festivals and in this Year of the Blues, Producer Tom Mazzolini summarized the spirit of the blues with a brilliant program embracing the universal condition known as "the blues" in all its diversity.

photos and article by Dorothy L. Hill
Blues Editor, Jazz Now