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 Great Meadow, Upper Fort Mason
“The blues is an expression of anger against shame and humiliation,” said the legendary B.B. King of this deeply influential genre with roots in the trauma and promise of early 20th century African America. Blues icons from Blind Blake to John Lee Hooker brought the form to mainstream prominence, helping define styles as varied as ragtime, jazz, rock, and hip-hop.
The power and allure of the blues is no less evident today, as shown by the passionate crowds of fans who flock to Fort Mason’s Great Meadow each year for the San Francisco Blues Festival.
This year’s 34th annual festival celebrates the music of New Orleans on Saturday, September 23 with the Louisiana Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars. The group of renowned blues, world, and zydeco artists teamed up to raise awareness of the eroding Gulf Coast wetlands a year before Hurricane Katrina struck. Other notable performances include the piano-pounding jump mastery of Mitch Woods, former Fats Domino saxophonist Herb Hardesty and his Blue Monday Horns, and the New Orleans sounds of San Francisco’s own Brass Monkey Brass Band.
On Sunday, September 24, the feisty and ever-charming Little Richard takes center stage with high-energy R&B hits spanning the last five decades. Good Golly Miss Molly! World-class harmonica players Larry Cox, Omar Coleman, Big D, and Russ Green, backed by the Chicago Bluesmasters, are also on tap, along with Phil Guy, brother of famed rhythm guitarist Buddy Guy, and R&B queen Ruth Brown.
In addition to the onstage talent, culinary all-stars serve up a delectable range of New Orleans-style fare, beverages, and spirits. For times and ticket information, see September 23, or for full event details visit www.sfblues.com.
— Aaron Lehmer
Little Richard (top) and Tab Benoit of the Louisiana Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars (above). |
