By Rick Bird • Enquirer contributor • August 1, 2008
The theme of this year's Cincy Blues Fest could well be "Let's party!"
The lineup features a number of high-energy showmen, infectious blues rockers and rollicking jump blues.
Organizers acknowledge it's an attempt to show people the blues doesn't have to be, well ... blue.
"Our goal this year was to book interesting shows that keep things hopping," said Joy Henderson, Cincy Blues Fest coordinator. "Some people think blues has to be sad, crying-in-your-beer stuff. It doesn't have to be. We wanted to attract a younger crowd with a lot of high-energy music."
Organizers expect up to 20,000 people for the 16th Cincy Blues Fest tonight and Saturday at Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point. The volunteer-run event is sponsored by the Cincy Blues Society, with all proceeds going to its Blues in the Schools program.
Headliners include Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials today and Watermelon Slim Saturday. Guitar slinger Lil' Ed is known for his upbeat showman style; Watermelon Slim is a true character with his campy storytelling style on guitar and harp.
Other highlights include veteran roadhouse blues rocker Jimmy Thackery and the Kilborn Alley Blues Band, featuring younger practitioners of the classic Chicago electric blues tradition. Also on the bill is Grammy-winning harmonica player Sugar Blue.
This year, organizers dropped a gospel stage and added an "AlternaBlues" stage today. It includes blues-derivative folk, roots rock and Americana music ranging from local troubadour Jake Speed and blues rockers Pearlene to the eclectic Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band (a trio with Peyton's wife on rub board).
The stage also will feature a tribute to Sean Costello, the up-and-coming Atlanta guitarist who died in April one day short of his 29th birthday. His death was ruled an accidental drug overdose that included prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Costello was originally scheduled to be the Saturday night headliner. Northern Kentucky guitarist Jon Justice, a friend of Costello's who shares a soulful/R&B-influenced blues style, will perform the tribute set, with donations encouraged for the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research established by his family.
The blues fest continues its tradition of an all-day boogie-woogie piano stage. The event is thought to be the only blues festival in the country with a stage dedicated to the genre. There's increased female power on the stage this year, with five women players, including Lisa Otey, Wendy DeWitt and Sue Palmer, who have toured together as the "queens of the boogie-woogie piano."
Cincinnati's prodigal harp son, Steve Tracy, will return to his hometown to emcee the piano stage and perform. Tracy is professor of African-American studies at the University of Massachusetts and author of "Going to Cincinnati: A History of the Blues in the Queen City."
Arches Boogie Woogie Piano Stage
Saturday
3:45 p.m.: The jam session includes piano players Mark Braun, Eden Brent, Wendy DeWitt, Ricky Nye, Lisa Otey, Sue Palmer, Liz Pennock and Dr. Blues, Rob Rio, Bob Seeley and Matt Wigler.
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