The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival: 2 Days of Blues Music Starting Friday July 1 at LeClaire Park, Davenport, IA
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society, which organizes an all-volunteer award-winning festival, will kick off its 31st Annual Blues Fest with the National Anthem on Friday, July 1 at 4:50pm. The 2-day festival will be held at its traditional location in LeClaire Park, Davenport, IA. Tickets can be purchased at the festival gate (Ripley Street & Beiderbecke Drive) for $15 on Friday and $20 on Saturday, July 2. Kids 14 and under are free with a paid adult.
On Friday, July 1, attendees will be treated to four acts on the Bandshell stage:
5:00pm Frankie Fontagne and the Ramblers
Ms. Fontagne and the Ramblers pay homage to their many influences and offer original songs in a high energy, funky package featuring Frankie Fontagne fronting vocals, Shawn “Skoy” Harris on guitar, Andrew Durham on harmonica and tenor sax, Bob Rosenstiel laying down the bass, and Bryan West rocking the drums.
7:00pm Toronzo Cannon
Toronzo Cannon has been playing the Chicago Blues music circuit for over 15 years, building up a name for himself from sideman to bandleader. With recent performances from the Grolsch Blues Festival in Germany to the Chicago Blues Festival, Toronzo is making his name known all over the globe, charming audiences with his stories, guitar licks, and a laugh that will guarantee to make you smile.
9:00pm Tweed Funk
Formed in late 2010, Tweed Funk's national ascent has been driven by their horn-fueled, Memphis-flavored Blues, roots, and soul. This Milwaukee based six-piece soul- Blues revue is fronted by Joseph "Smokey" Holman, who recorded under Curtis Mayfield in the early ‘70s. New band members Dave Schoepke on drums and percussion, and Andrew Spadafora on tenor and baritone sax, are key components of Tweed Funk’s sound, along with Travis Drow on trumpet, Eric Madunic playing bass and keys, JD Optekar on guitar, and Smokey singing lead vocals.
11:00pm Shawn Holt & the Teardrops
Shawn Holt started playing the Blues at the age of 17, when he went on the road with this father (Morris Holt, the great Magic Slim) and Slim's brother, Uncle Nick Holt and The Teardrops. After his father’s death in 2013, Shawn Holt put together a new generation of the Teardrops to continue the tradition. The Teardrops consist of Levi William on guitar and vocals, Vern Taylor playing drums and singing vocals, and Russell Jackson playing the bass.
The Blues will continue on the Bandshell on Saturday, July 2 starting with the National Anthem at 1:25pm and rolling into these 6 acts:
1:30pm Juliana & a Soul Purpose
Juliana Logan began her melodic journey participating in The RME Rock Camp, Winter Blues Program, open mic nights, and songwriters in the round for the past 7 years. Matthew Dilulio plays drums and percussion for Juliana & a Soul Purpose. Tommy Davies has been playing the piano for 11 years. The guitar player is 15-year-old Austin Michael Wanfalt, from Wappello, Iowa, who has been playing guitar for 5 years. Rounding out the band are Haley (18) on vocals and Cloey Schultheis (15) on bass.
3:00pm Shane Johnson’s Blue Train
Formed in late 1997, Blue Train is Shane Johnson on guitars, Tony Carton on drums, “Detroit” Larry Davison on harmonica, and John Resch on vocals and electric bass. Shane Johnson’s Blue Train first came on the local scene by winning the Quad Cities segment of the Iowa Blues Challenge. After several years apart, the original lineup will reunite when Shane Johnson, now based in Austin TX, will return to the Quad Cities for a set you won’t want to miss!
5:00pm Ellis Kell Band
Bandleader Ellis Kell has spearheaded many music education programs throughout the year, including a week-long program dedicated to the Blues each winter. Bandmates Terry Hanson, Tony Hoeppner, “Detroit” Larry Davison, Rick Stoneking and John Burchett have also been ambassadors for the Blues and music education, assisting with programs both at the RME and through the Mississippi Valley Blues Society’s Blues in the Schools programs. Their music continues to be infectious for dancing and appeals to ears young and old, as they present a timeless sound of Blues, rock, and roots influences.
7:00pm Laura Rain & the Caesars
Laura Rain & the Caesars are a powerhouse soul, Blues, and R&B quartet. Laura Rain has been performing on the Detroit and Los Angeles music scenes for well over a decade. The Caesars are veterans of the Motor City's R&B, Jazz, Rock, and Blues scenes. Producer, co-writer, and guitarist George Friend, another Detroit native, returned home from L.A., and has made his mark in multiple genres—Rockabilly (Robert Gordon), R&B (The Sun Messengers), and Blues (Janiva Magness). Phil Hale has played keyboards for everyone from Martha Reeves to George Clinton, Stanley Jordan, Bettye Lavette, and James Carter. Drummer Ron Pangborn, an original member of Was (Not Was), lays down beats that are perfectly fitted to the Caesars' retro-modern Soul and Blues.
9:00pm Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat
A lot of people might know Jim Suhler as the lead/rhythm guitarist for George Thorogood and The Destroyers, playing at all of their shows and on all of their albums since 1999. The Dallas, Texas based group is known for their no-holds-barred approach to Blues-inspired Rock & Roll and Blues music. The band’s current line-up has included Shawn Phares on keyboards since 2000, Beau Chadwell on drums since 2011, and Chris Alexander on bass and backing vocals since 2014.
11:00pm Cash Box Kings
Blind Pig recording artists the Cash Box Kings are keeping real-deal, old-school Chicago Blues alive and thriving! The Cash Box Kings are fronted by Joe Nosek, who writes and arranges songs, sings, and channels the spirits of Little Walter and Slim Harpo on harmonica, and singer and songwriter Oscar Wilson, a 6’3” 300-pound Muddy Waters-type throwback to the heyday of the Chicago Blues scene. The group is rounded out by Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith hitting the drums, and Joel Paterson bring the guitar and vocals in the mix, augmented by a rotating cast of honorary Kings.
The 2016 Blues Festival is also a place to bring the whole family. Included in the Festival footprint is the “BlueSKool” space, where attendees of all ages can experience the dramatic balance of Blues education and entertainment. “BlueSKool” will offer fun for everyone and is easily accessed within the Festival grounds.
Performing in the BluesSKool area on Saturday, July 2:
1:30pm Kevin Burt
For over 20 years, Coralville’s Kevin “B.F.” Burt has been electrifying audiences throughout the nation, dispelling the myth that true Blues has no roots in Iowa. Kevin has written and published a classroom harmonica method book called Just Play It: An Introduction to Blues Harmonica. Besides playing at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and other Midwest Blues festivals, Kevin has performed at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife (Washington, DC).
2:45pm Winter Blues AllStars
This band was formed after the members participated in the Winter Blues Camp hosted by the River Music Experience in December, 2015. These 7 musicians were selected by the instructors and have been practicing weekly, and performing at various venues since January. The band consists of the following members: Kaleb Dykema (17) has been playing the guitar for 9 years and also performs with two other bands. Sylvia Friedhof-Cruz has been singing for the past 9 years, and participates in show choir at school. Konnor Kirkbride (16) has participated in the Moline Boys Choir, Center for Living Performing Arts Center in Rock Island, Rock Island High School Chamber Choir and Drama Club. Sam Barber (17) has been playing the guitar for 6 years and this was his first Winter Blues Camp. Quinn Branch (17) has been playing the bass for 3 years and is involved in band and Jazz band at school and also plays in another band. Sam Petri (14) also participates in Jazz band, marching band and show choir pit at school. Keval Wagher(12) has been playing the piano for 8 years, trumpet for 3 years and guitar for 2 years.
4:00pm David Berntson
Originally from Galesburg, IL, this Tulsa OK Blues Club founder, prevention educator, and drug/alcohol counselor continually shares his enthusiasm and passion for the Blues with young people and adults. David is an endorsee for Hohner harmonicas and has taught harmonica classes through adult continuing education at Tulsa Community College for over 15 years. He also teaches children’s harmonica classes for the Tulsa Parks and Recreation Department. David’s BlueSKool session features free harmonicas and lessons for all the kids!
This year’s festival will feature our wealth of Quad Cities Blues talent with the addition of a “Local Scene” stage inside the beverage tent. The “Local Scene” Stage will be comprised of bands that are donating their time to play 30-minute sets between each Bandshell performance.
This festival is being presented by The Mississippi Valley Blues Society. The objective of the Society is to educate the general public about the native art form of Blues-related music through performance, interpretation and preservation, thus enhancing appreciation and understanding.
We want all to come and enjoy the Blues music that we have to offer at the 2016 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, and we ask that you keep the following in mind:
· Volunteers are still needed and can sign up at www.mvbs.org.
· Gates open 1 hour before first act each day.
· NO coolers, cans, bottles, food, etc., or pets allowed.
· Lawn chairs are encouraged as seating will be limited.
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http://www.mvbs.org/
