Jazz and Blues Lounge

Checking in on the Festivals

by balaspa on May 29th, 2008

The weather has, for the most part, finally started to get warm around here. Of course, I am writing this the evening after we had a night of 39 degree weather. But still, compared to the below zero temps we had most of the winter, 39 degrees is a heatwave. On Monday, we were in the 80s and I heard people actually complaining about how hot it was. Come on people, either you want it cold or you want it hot, let’s not be total wimps here.

That means it is festival season and I have mentioned, many times, about how Chicago manages to do things right in this regard. The festival season really kicks off with the great Chicago Blues Festival. Then, there are other music festivals, including a Gospel Festival and Lollapalooza, but then the festival season closes with the Chicago Jazz Festival, which was always big, but just keeps getting bigger.

I want to thank a certain website that really stays on top of these things. You need to check out Chicagofests.com for the details about the various music festivals. The information below is quoted from their website. The site is run by the Chicago Music Commission and Centerstage. So, thanks guys, for the website, the details and the information below:

THE CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL

25th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, 2008 in Grant Park

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events has completed announcing the headliners for this year’s festival:

Thursday, June 5: Guitarist and singer Johnny Winter will make his first appearance at the Chicago Blues Festival since the inaugural event in 1984. He’ll be part of the opening night celebration of Muddy Waters on Thursday, June 5th, sharing the spotlight with “Superharp” James Cotton and others.

Friday, June 6: The Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor (joined by her Blues Machine) headlines on Friday night, along with a set by Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater. There will also be a tribute to the past with a set featuring Ruby Andrews, Cicero Blake and Jackie Ross.

Saturday, June 7: Buckwheat Zydeco will headline on Saturday. The 60-year-old accordionist will bring one of the classic sounds of New Orleans to the stage. Also appearing that night will be Chicago favorite Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, the 2007 Band of the Year at the Blues Music Awards.

Sunday, June 8: Just announced to close the festival on Sunday June 8th will be the legendary B.B. King, making his first appearance at the festival in over 20 years. Other headliners on the final night include keyboardist Little Willie Littlefield, guitarist Bobby Parker and vocalist Karen Carroll, who performs with Charlie Love and Lurrie Bell.

THE CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL (so far)

30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, August 28-31, 2008 in Millennium Park and Grant Park

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events has announced some of the headliners for this year’s Jazz Fest.

Thursday, August 28: Saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins opens the festival at 6:30 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. One of the pioneers of bebop in the ’50s, Rollins is still an inspiration to many jazz artists around the world.

Sunday, August 31: Ornette Coleman, widely known as the creator of “free jazz,” will bring his improvisatory saxophone skills to the Petrillo Music Shell as he closes out the festival on Saturday night. Though he’s been on the scene for about a half-century, he hasn’t lost creative flair; last year’s Sound Grammar won a Grammy.

Once again, thanks to Chicagofests.com for the information above. Check out their site for details about Lollapalooza and other music festivals in the Chicago area throughout 2008.

POSTED IN: Bands, Chicago, Festivals, Koko Taylor, blues, jazz