Blues Alive festival begins in Šumperk

The main attractions of the 26th edition of the festival will include the essential legend of his generation, pianist, organist and singer Anthony Geraci, Serbian-American guitarist Ana Popović, New York guitar star Popa Chubby, world-famous Hammond organist Delvon Lamarr and his trio, and the leading representative of the acoustic country-blues school Jontavious Willis. Guitarist and singer Carolyn Wonderland is known to many from the band of British blues legend John Mayall, but she can put fans of Texas guitar rampage into a trance. A special block featuring American and British musicians and singers will commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of singer Etta James this year, and an afternoon concert will pay tribute to legendary Czech singer-songwriter Jan Spálený.

In addition to Šumperk, the twenty-six-year-old Georgia native Jontavious Willis will also play concerts in Veselí nad Moravou (14 November), Olomouc (15 November), Mikulov (16 November), Valašské Meziříčí (17 November), Javorník (20 November) and Chorzów (21 November). During each concert of the tour and at the Blues Alive festival, his master guitar lessons will be held for the public and the Roots of Blues in the American South exhibition will also be open.

The action at the House of Culture will always kick off in the lobby in the early evening with one of the bands that advanced from this year’s Blues Aperitiv talent contest (Dazed and Confused, Black Pin, Steven’s), followed by a block of last year’s winners on the main stage (The Peanuts, Levi, The Turtev Brothers).

It will be busy on other festival stages as well. On the Jam Stage, which is opening for the first time this year, the famous DJ Tea Jay Ivo will open the afternoon programme, and in addition to him, the Italian acoustic duo Max & Veronica, the Slovak project Orchester Ivan Tomovic and the Kingsize Boogiemen, Hoochie Coochie Band and Dura & Blues Club will play. Friday’s programme in the Monastery Church will feature Martina Trchová, Justin Lavash and Phil Shoenfelt with David Babka. There will also be the traditional Saturday morning screening at the OKO cinema, with a great biopic about Aretha Franklin called Respect. The T. G. Masaryk Library will host leading blues experts Jan Sobotka and Jiří Moravčík with their listening programmes.

Proceeds from the traditional Saturday charity guitar auction signed by all the performers will be donated this time to support the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression. The amount will be donated directly on the festival stage to the Ukrainian Consul, Mrs. Anna Proshko.

Categorised in: Nezařazené

This post was written by Štěpán Suchochleb