Expect the spirit of Mardi Gras to alive once again at Rainbow Lagoon Park for the 26th annual Long Beach Bayou Festival spread out over the entire weekend this week, bringing in some of the most recognized and powerful musicians in blues, zydeco, and Cajun music.
Coming to the stage this year will be blues masters Zac Harmon and Guitar Shorty. Upon returning to his blues roots in 2002, Zac Harmon, who had previously crafted songs for the likes of the O’Jays, Whispers, and Karyn Hill, was subsequently voted “Best New Blues Artist” by XM Satellite Radio listeners, won a Blues Music Award for “Best New Artist Debut,” and was dubbed one of the 10 artists that “represent the future of the blues” by Blues Revue Magazine.
Credited with influencing both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, seminal blues guitarist Guitar Shorty has been electrifying audiences for five decades with his supercharged live shows and blistering recordings. From his late teens, he worked with Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Willie Dixon and went on to become a giant in the blues world. His own very first album won a WC Handy Blues Award right out of the gate.
Also on the roster is Jimbo Ross & His Bodacious Blues Band. Jimbo is as eclectic as the bands he has played with over the years: Moody Blues, Pete Townsend, Bob Dylan, Johnny Mathis, Roy Orbison, Elton John, and Led Zeppelin. He sings with committed, soulful blues passion and plays electric viola with virtuosic talent. Then there’s Barbara Morrison, with her two-and-a-half octave range, who has been blazing a trail as a jazz and blues legend around the world performing her rich, unique, and soulful interpretations of jazz and blues classics as well as original contemporary tunes.
The Oreo Divas — with their sizzling Motown Tribute — and extraordinary R&B/jazz/blues/gospel vocalist Sherry Pruitt add to the incredible talent. The blues contingent is rounded out with the West coast soulful blues style of the Sonny Green Blues Band, award winning blues vocalist, Artwork Jamal, the scorching southern blues of the Bill Magee Blues Band, and the Los Angeles Music Award winning Shari Puorto Band.
The dance floor will be filled at the Zydeco Stage. Blending zydeco with R&B, rock, jazz, blues, country, and gospel, Chris Ardoin & NuStep have been bringing the traditional form of zydeco into a contemporary music format around the world to places like London, Sweden, Amsterdam, Jamaica, Mexico, and even Japan. They will be joined by winner of 15 Zydeco Music Awards, J Paul Jr & the Zydeco Nubreeds; the Southwest Louisiana-style zydeco band, Li’l Wayne & Same Ol 2-Step; the always popular Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie; Theo & the Zydeco Patrol, Bonne Musique Zydeco and Benny & the Swamp Gators. Cajun music will be featured by the best in Cajun music today: acclaimed group, Joel Savoy, Jesse Legé & Cajun Country Revival and Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, who push the limit while remaining true to their heritage. See below for artist listing by day.
Saturday’s Full Lineup:
- Barbara Morrison
- Chris Ardoin & NuStep
- Jimbo Ross & His Bodacious Blues Band
- J Paul Jr & the Zydeco Nubreeds
- Sherry Pruitt
- Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys
- Artwork Jamal
- Bonne Musique Zydeco
- Bennie & the Swamp Gators
- The Oreo Divas (Motown Tribute)
- New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band
Sunday’s Full Lineup:
- Zac Harmon Band
- Guitar Shorty
- Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie
- Chris Ardoin & Nustep
- Sonny Green Blues Band
- Joel Savoy, Jesse Lege & Cajun Country Revival
- Li’l Wayne & Same Ol 2-Step
- Bill Magee Blues Band
- Theo & the Zydeco Patrol
- The Shari Puorto Band
- New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band
The Long Beach Bayou Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Rainbow Lagoon Park located at Linden Avenue & Shoreline Drive. Saturday’s festivities will run from 11:00am to 9:30pm and Sunday from 11:00am to 8:30pm.
For tickets and more information, visit www.longbeachbayoufest.com or call 562-424-0013. Tickets for adults are $25 in advance or $30 at the gate; Seniors (60+) and Students (18+): $20 in advance and $30 at the gate; Students (ages 13-17): $10, Children 12 & under: free; VIP tickets are $65 and includes backstage access, seating, one meal and two drinks.