Unquestionably, the rising tide of musical awesomeness invading Long Beach harkens to the days when Jazz Safari, Vault 350, and the Arena regularly hosted local and international musicians of the highest caliber.
Given this, it makes sense that (following acts like S.A.M., the Long Beach Jazz Festival, the Long Beach Folk Revival…) Long Beach (re)births another festival: the New Blues Festival.
In 1980, the Long Beach Blues Festival—originally called the KLON Blues & Gospel Festival before the famed jazz radio station was re-named KKJZ—was established and was second only to the San Francisco Blues Festival as the oldest fest of its kind on the West Coast. From Chuck Berry to James Brown, Buddy Guy to the Blues Brothers Band, this annual Labor Day Weekend event was an unapologetic tribute to the sound that makes everyone get down when feeling down.
Sadly, the festival went on hiatus in 2010 and hasn’t seen the brass of a blues band since—that is, until the creation of the New Blues Festival.
Set to take place at the Police Officer Association Park near the northern tip of El Dorado Park, the newborn festival realigns itself with the founder of the OG festival, Long Beach acoustic guitar guru Bernie Pearl (who will also be performing).
“It is an honor to join the original founders of the Long Beach Blues Festival,” said William Grisolia, producer of the New Blues Festival. “For over thirty years, the Southern California region has been treated with this most American of music and each artist, volunteer and sponsor will be proud this year to have helped revive our communities’ rich cultural tradition.”
The New Blues Festival is (almost) pure Long Beach: Post Best Local Band winner Boxcar 7 and the aforementioned Bernie Pearl will join local outfits the Brophy Dale Band and Joe Kincaid & the Soul Brothers Band on the stage.
Also gracing the stage will be Jami Bess Belushi (daughter of blues guru and comedian Jim Belushi), Delta Groove Records’ golden band Mighty Mojo Prophets, avant garde musician Sandi Thom, Chicagoans Stoney B Blues Band, and guitarist Whiteboy James and his band, The Blues Express.
The New Blues Festival takes place on Sunday, August 31, at POA Park, located at 7390 E. Carson St. The festival will run from 10AM to 10PM. For tickets, click here or call 562-762-8317. For more information, visit www.newbluesfestival.com.
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