Are you ready for Oregon's biggest benefit party? Yes, the Fourth of July is around the corner and with it comes the 11th Annual Waterfront Blues Festival.Waterfront Blues Festival
By Joey Scruggs
Are you ready for Oregon's biggest benefit party? Yes, the Fourth of July is around the corner and with it comes the 11th Annual Waterfront Blues Festival.
The festival is the premier event for Oregon Food Bank, a non-profit group that provides nourishment for needy Oregonians. OFB has sponsored the event since 1988, the second year of the festival.
One of the things that separates this festival from most music events is the soft-line approach towards attendance. No, it won't cost you $45 to see the show. A $3 donation and three cans of food does the trick. If you're on the hurting side of life and can't spare the dollars, you are still welcome.
Forty or more bands will gather to play, on two alternating stages over the course of the weekend. National acts, plus regional and local blues bands round out the bill. As usual, there will be a handful of performances by truly legendary blues artists.
Foremost will be the set by Honeyboy Edwards. Still going strong in his '80s, Edwards was born in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in 1915. He has worked with the greatest of the greats; Little Walter Jacobs, Sunnyland Slim, Howlin' Wolf, Big Walter Horton, Big Joe Williams and Charlie Patton. As a matter of fact, Robert Johnson was touring with Edwards when Johnson was poisoned by a jealous fan, resulting in his death. This is the real deal.
Singer Bobby Blue Bland is another blues legend making his first appearance at the festival. Bland is certainly one of the top bluesmen touring and you'd better believe he'll be playing with one of the tightest, soulful bands you'd ever want to hear. Put Bland right up there in the category of soul singers that include Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and his good friend BB King. Bobby Blue Bland received a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 1997, and was recently inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. His will be a "must see" set that is sure to be remembered for many years.
One of R&B's biggest stars has been vocalist/harmonica player Bobby Rush. If you happen to be towards the front by the stage, you'd better watch out -- the women will be storming the stage!
Guitarist Son Seals will shock you with his searing electric blues. Vocalist Clarence Fountain and his gospel group the Blind Boys of Alabama are the sanctified kings of gospel. If James Brown would've stayed in church like a good boy, he'd have the soul of Clarence Fountain!
Many of you may remember Shuggie Otis from the '60s. His dad, Johnny Otis, used him on guitar for many memorable recordings. Shuggie doesn't tour very often, so this performance will be a special treat.
Another great, under-appreciated talent is Detroit's Johnnie Bassett and his band, the Blues Unsurgents. Bassett is a veteran of the same '50s blues scene that John Lee Hooker came from and was house guitarist for the Fortune record label.
New Orleans' rich musical heri-tage will be represented by drummer Zigaboo Modeliste, formerly a member of the Funky Meters.
Traditional Bay Area guitarist Alvin Youngblood Hart will deviate from his usual solo act to perform with a band.
Chicago bluesman Larry Garner will inject a dose of his smooth, even blues. A great singer, Garner could very well pull off the surprise set of the festival.
Five dynamic electric guitarists will shake your moneymaker; Roy Rogers, Jimmy Thackery, Bugs Henderson, Kenny Blue Ray and Junior Watson are considered at the top of their form and in their prime, so be prepared (Guitar slingers must attend.)
J. Geils will perform in a duo with his old bandmate Magic Dick on harp. The Boneshakers, whose members have done time with Coolio, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Iggy Pop, Lyle Lovett and Snoop Doggy Dogg, will absolutely freshen your outlook on life.
If you wanna get up and boogie, there's no better music than Lou-isiana Zydeco. This rollickin' style will be well represented by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. Nathan and his band copped the Big Easy Award in New Orleans for Best Zydeco Act.
Our "Local hero makes good," Kelly Joe Phelps, returns to town for the Fourth of July. Kelly has been on tour with BB King, travel-ing and impressing music lovers all over the world. Help welcome him back!
Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame drummer Boyd Small has moved to Amsterdam, Holland, and will bless Portlanders with a performance with The Blues Factory, a Roomful of Blues-like big band, replete with horns. Only this time, Small is out front as the singer. Maybe he'll sit behind the drum kit for just one song (please).
Local standouts Paul deLay, Lloyd Jones, Duffy Bishop, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, Curtis Salgado, Big Monti (featuring Monti Amundson, John Mazzocco and Jeff Minnieweather) and Jim Mesi make this one of the strongest lineups the festival's ever had.
Where are you going to spend Fourth of July weekend? Waterfront Park and the Waterfront Blues Festival, of course!