Calgary International Bluesfest 2010: what’s in store

By Lindsay Wilson

As printed in beatroute

Get ready for four days of the best in blues, as the Calgary blues community gears up for the Calgary International Bluesfest 2010, hosted at Shaw Millenium Park August 5-8.

Bluesfest producers Maurice Ginzer and Cindy McLeod feel very confident that the artist line-up for 2010 will go above and beyond the anticipations of blues fans, as this year boasts some of the biggest names as headliners. But Ginzer encourages this year’s attendees to pay close attention to some of the opening acts and local talent that will be performing this summer.

“I always stress this every year: people buy tickets for the ‘names’ and they come and buy the merchandise of all the musicians they’ve never heard of. That’s what festivals are all about: giving exposure to great musicians who wouldn’t otherwise get that opportunity,” says Ginzer, who has been a long-time promoter of Calgary blues and is currently revving up for a series of blues showcase nights, beginning July 19at Quincy’s on Seventh.

Some of the headliners at this year’s Bluesfest include:

Little Feat: From their 1969 beginnings as a powerful, syncopated rockabilly-blues-folk-rock fusion, led by the late Lowell George, to their modern day seven-piece musical collective, this band remains one of the greatest constructors of a sound that can only be described as their own. Little Feat will take the main stage on Friday, August 6.

David Clayton Thomas: This street-kid-turned-best-selling singer-songwriter has maintained the momentum that catapulted him to international success with his 1968 release of Blood, Sweat & Tears. This recipient of five Grammies rocks the main stage (with an eleven-piece band) on Thursday, August 5.

Coco Montoya: Thirty years of performance has brought this sensational blues-rock guitarist international acclaim. Montoya brings his “soul-sational” self to the main stage on Saturday, August 7.

Chicago Blues Reunion: “Iconic” is an appropriate term to describe this all-star blending of some of the greatest from the Chicago Blues era. Come witness the historical transition of acoustic blues-meets electrification on Sunday, August 8.

Other names (including local players) who can be seen this year include: The Holmes Brothers, Monkey Junk, Lester Quitzau, Gary Comeau and the Voodoo Allstars, Mississippi Heat, Mason Rack Band, Sean Carney Band, John Lee Sanders, Mike Reilly Band, Randy O Band with Annika Odegard, Marshall Lawrence Band, Morgan Davis with Tim Williams and the Electrofires, Arsen Shomakhov, David Vest Band with Bill Johnson, Kelly Kavanagh Band, Bob Deutscher and John Rutherford.

For a complete listing of performers, to check out the schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.calgarybluesfest.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Megatunes or at Sloth Records.