Celebrate the blues this year down by the San Francisco Bay at the world's oldest blues festival, September 25-26. Held on the green at Fort Mason's Great Meadow and framed by the stunning backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, the Festival will celebrate its 32^nd year with an all-star lineup of some of the best blues performers in the world.

West Coast Harmonica Jump

The San Francisco Blues Festival's free Waterfront Blues Concert, held at the Justin Herman Plaza, Friday, September 24, continues its celebration of blues harmonica with four top-notch harp masters from the West Coast: Gary Smith, Dave Barrett, Paul Durkett and Big Bones. The harmonica has been one of the most dynamic and distinctive instruments in modern blues. Since its emergence as an amplified instrument in the late 1940s and early '50s, this tiny instrument has pushed the limits of technique and innovation to become a challenging force to harmonica players attempting to redefine the boundaries established by such modernists as Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Wiliamson II, George Smith, Big Walter Horton, Jr. Wells and James Cotton.

Gary Smith, who formed his first ensemble in the early 1970s, is a nationally recognized legend of the instrument with a deep underground following for his innovation and tonal playing. Smith lived in Chicago long enough to absorb all the styles being performed in the Southside clubs of the late 1960s. He also mentored with James Cotton. He made his first records in 1974, and has subsequently appeared on numerous recordings. He has three outstanding solo CDs, including his newest, "Blues For Mr. B." He has worked with Mike Bloomfield, Robben Ford, Luther Tucker, John Lee Hooker, and Jr. Watson, among others.

Paul Durkett has been playing harmonica for over 30 years and is considered one of the best harp players to ever come out of the West Coast. He is a master of the amplified Chicago school of modern blues and has led his own bands for years. His performance of "Steady" on the remarkable CD release, The Best of the West Coast Blues Harp Players "Got Harp If You Want It," is a renowned classic!

Dave Barrett is the newest harmonica player on the scene, although he has been performing since age 16. He has performed with Billy Boy Arnold, James Cotton, James Harman, Charlie Musselwhite, Lee Oskar, Snooky Pryor and many others. He also founded the School of the Blues and teaches harmonica master class workshops around the country. His debut CD, "Serious Fun. Hot Chicago Blues With a West Coast Twist," is an incredible tour de force. It features guitarist John Garcia.

Big Bones has been playing harp around San Francisco for over a decade. He was a long-time regular at the famed Biscuits and Blues nightspot and toured Europe with the San Francisco Blues Festival in the 1990s. He was also a musical partner with the guitarist-songwriter Paul Pena. Their appearance at the San Francisco Blues Festival in the early '90s was a tour de force! In recent years he has lived in Europe, performing mostly in Germany and Holland. His first solo album, "So Low," was just released in Europe.

Buddy Guy, featuring Special Guest Carlos Santana

Buddy Guy is the greatest blues guitarist to emerge in all the history of Chicago blues. Eric Clapton has called him the 'greatest guitarist alive,' and as a guitarist he is unsurpassed as a guitar god matched only by the likes of Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, in the history of modern electric blues. Guy is a peerless showman whose high energy, searing fretwork and hell-bound vocals have made him an unmatched performer who has sold over two million albums and won four Grammys. Born in Lettsworth, Louisiana in 1936, Guy emerged in Chicago in 1957 and worked as a session guitarist at Chess Records for a full decade, backing such luminaries as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson. In 1967 he began a series of solo projects for Vanguard and later teamed with Jr. Wells. He toured with the Rolling Stones and in the 1990s embarked on a series of stupendous solo albums for Silvertone Records that have culminated with the recent release, 'Blues Singer,' which features guests Eric Clapton and B.B. King. The album features Guy in an all-classic blues acoustic journey that heralds back to his 1963 acoustic debut performance on Muddy Waters' acoustic album release,'Folk Blues.' Today Guy is seen as the internationally celebrated symbol of contemporary blues, whose dynamic live performances are unmatched.

Keb' Mo'

Since his debut in 1994, Keb' Mo' has led the charge in pushing the blues in new directions by expanding the borders of the blues genre with a rich mix of down-home rural country blues traditions and contemporary story telling. Since his debut CD release, 'Keb' Mo.'' for the Okeh label in 1994 -- which won him his first of several Grammys , the other being 'Slow Down' in 1998 -- Keb' Mo' has been a musical sensation. His name is actually Kevin Moore and the nickname Keb' Mo' was a reference to a musician friend that stuck among his early peers. Born and raised in Compton, Keb' began playing guitar at age 17. Performing in and around clubs in South Central Los Angeles, he joined the Papa John Creach Band in the 1970s and appeared on three albums with the R&B-jazz violinist. He also backed Jimmy Witherspoon, Albert Collins, West Coast blues guitar legend PeeWee Crayton and also Billy Preston. In 1990, he auditioned for a play called 'Rabbit Foot,' in which he was asked to play Delta blues. This experience caused him to switch to acoustic guitar and a new career was launched! This move allowed him to adapt his prolific songwriting talents to blues ballads and down-home country blues storytelling. Playing steel guitar, banjo, harmonica or electric guitar and accented by a relaxed baritone voice, Keb' Mo' has become a finger-picking and slide guitar sensation. He has recorded seven CDs; his newest, 'Keep It Simple,' is his fifth for the Okeh label. Last year he was the narrator for a 13-part NPR series entitled 'The Blues.' He has recorded duets with Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson and has performed on numerous soundscores. He is an accomplished songwriter and his intelligent lyrics, coupled with his unique feeling for acoustic blues, have made Keb' Mo' a leading visionary in contemporary blues.

Marcia Ball

Marcia Ball has been called the 'bayou queen of the piano,' known for her raucous-based New Orleans boogie piano and Austin, Texas roadhouse R&B and blues-driven honky tonk piano. Ball's musical map is where Texas meets Louisiana and that passion of performance that takes in Texas and the Gulf Coast has made her a favorite over 30 years of non-stop touring! Born in Orange, Texas, Ball grew up in Vinton, Louisiana, a small rural town across the state line. She resides in Austin and has appeared on Austin City Limits. She was featured in last year's PBS series 'The Blues,' appearing in Clint Eastwood's documentary 'Piano Blues,' which also featured Ray Charles. A fixture at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival since 1978, her Fat Tuesday gigs at Tipitina's during Mardi Gras have become part of the ingrained ritual of Carnival. She was the first female piano player invited to take part in Tipitina's Professor Longhair tributes. Stylistically she has been influenced by Irma Thomas, Etta James and Ann Peebles. Ball has recorded 11 albums, including her latest, 'So Many Rivers,' on Alligator Records.

Charlie Musselwhite

Charlie Musselwhite is the king of the blues harmonica! He is a master of the instrument and technique of modern harp that has no boundaries. He has recorded over 20 albums, received six Grammy nominations and 14 W.C. Handy Awards. Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Musselwhite began performing at an early age on Memphis' Beale Street, sitting in and absorbing the blues from such regional legends as Furry Lewis, Will Shade, the Memphis Jug Band and Earl Bell, from whom he learned guitar and harmonica. He moved to Chicago in 1962 at age 18, and discovered the blues scene around Pepper's Lounge and sitting in with Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jr. Wells and Jimmy Reed. Charlie developed into a first-rate harmonica player in Chicago, working with Johnny Young, J.B. Hutto, Robert Nighthawk and Sam Lay. In 1965 he formed his first band and in 1966 recorded his first album,'Stand Back,' on Vanguard. It became one of the first blues albums to be marketed to a white audience. In 1967 he was booked into the Fillmore Auditorium, opening for Cream, and he decided to settle in the Bay Area, where he has lived since 1969. Charlie, who grew up knowing Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, has in recent years included elements of country, jazz, Latin and world music into his repertoire. His newest album, 'Sanctuary,' on Peter Gabriel's Real World label,takes a view of the darker side of life's experiences. It has been called 'so overwhelmingly powerful,' and a 'brilliant work that steps away form the blues.' Featured guests on the album include Ben Harper, Charlie Sexton and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Musselwhite has also recorded with Tom Waits, to whom his latest work has been compared.

British Blues All-Stars

In the mid to late 1960s the British blues scene made a huge impact on American listeners, many of whom went on to discover American blues through these early blues ambassadors. The impact of British blues was so immense that it gave rise to some of the greatest guitarists in rock history and sprouted such famous performers as the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Eric Burdon. Many of the originals are still active in England and elsewhere and some of the most important singers and musicians in British blues history will perform in a tribute to the blues invasion at this year's Festival.

Long John Baldry was one of the first British musicians to perform blues in England. He was an influence on Eric Clapton. In the early 1960s he joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated -- a starting-point band for Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Jack Bruce. He later joined Cyril Davies' R&B Allstars, featuring Rod Stewart. The guitarist-singer then formed Steampacket, featuring Brian Auger and Rod Stewart. Baldry also formed Bluesology, featuring Elton John on keyboards. Born in Haddon Derbyshire in 1941, Baldry had several hit records in England, including 'Let the Heartache Begin.'

Guitarist-vocalist Kim Simmonds is a legend of British blues guitar and considered an equal to Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Peter Green. Hailing from Newbridge, Swales, Simmonds was the founder of one of the most successful British Blues Bands in history, Savoy Brown, in 1966. They were also one of the first British blues bands to record and had such hits as 'I'm Tired,' and 'Louisiana Blues.' Their first gig was opening for Cream in London. Savoy Brown performed on concert billings with Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull, to name just a few.

Pianist Bob Hall is the boogie-woogie king of British piano and an original member of Savoy Brown. He was also a founding member of the famed British group, the Groundhogs, and has worked with Ian Stewart, Charlie Watts and Jack Bruce, plus Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Lightnin' Slim, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and J.B. Hutto on their English tours of the 1960s.

Guitarist Rod Price was a founding member of the British group, Foghat. Foghat had three platinum and eight gold albums and were one of the most successful rockin' British bands to hit American soil! Price, who was born in Chiswick, London, was influenced by the blues of Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Adept at slide guitar, he later claimed the slide work of Elmore James and Earl Hooker as major influences on his own guitar playing. Price had early on been a member of such English blues groups as Shakey Vick's Big City Blues Band and the Dynaflow Blues Band. Later, Dan Peverett, Roger Earle and Tone Stevens, all members of the Savoy Brown Blues Band, joined guitarist Rod Price to form Foghat in 1970. Price has just released his first solo blues album, "Open" on Burnside Records, which features old band mate Shakey Vick on harmonica. The album features stunning guitar work in the tradition of such British greats as Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Jeff Beck.

Bobby Rush

Bobby Rush has been called one of the greatest soul-blues showmen of all time. His performances have been called outrageous, soulful, sexy, and streetwise. Blending risque R&B, Chicago blues, funk, and Southern soul,Rush has been barnstorming across the South performing for working class African-Americans, for over 40 years. Last year he was prominently featured in a PBS documentary 'The Road to Memphis,' from the series 'The Blues.' He is a master showman with one of the entertaining stage shows in the history of the blues. 'If music is the universal language and sex is the universal obsession,' wrote one critic, 'then combining the two makes for a powerful intoxicant.' That's precisely what Rush is able to accomplish with three dancers and a vintage nightclub style of humor. Born in Homer, Louisiana, Rush began his career as a singer in Mississippi and Arkansas, with Elmore James. Later in Chicago he worked with Earl Hooker, Eddie Boyd, Luther Allison and Freddie King. He also sat in with Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush and Muddy. It was in Chicago that Rush met Little Walter Jacobs and became one of the harp master's finest students -- an instrument that he performs today. In 1968 he had a Chicago-area hit 'Gotta Have Money,' and a national chart-topping hit 'Chicken Heads' in the 1970s. He also had a hit with 'I Wanna Do the Do.' Rush has continued to record and has released some 16 albums plus a DVD on his own Deep Rush label. In the 1980s, he left Chicago and settled in Mississippi where he resides to this day. His risque live shows are unforgettable, politically incorrect, no holds barred and in every way reflective of the great tradition of the Chitlin Circuit performer from the clubs of the Southside of Chicago to the deep South and beyond. Rush hold court before tens of thousands of screaming fans during summer festivals in towns like Greenville, Mississippi, and Helena, Arkansas. Don't dare miss him!

Fat Possum Juke Joint Caravan

The Fat Possum Juke Joint Caravan, featuring T-Model Ford, Spam, Paul 'Wine' Jones, and Cedric Burnside, are all part of the ongoing legacy of the Mississippi Delta blues today. Steeped in the continuation of the Delta juke join musical masters of decades ago, this stripped-down, raw-as-an-open-sore brand of blues is as wild and natural as it gets. The Fat Possum Mississippi blues releases are some of the most exciting blues record made since the '60s.

And it can't get more raw or tough than the blues sounds of 78-years-old T-Model Ford (aka Tommy Lee Miles), who hails from Forest, Mississippi. Known to play guitar accompanied by his drummer, Spam, for eight hours straight, these blues have been described as stream of consciousness improvisations. In these authentic Delta blues one finds a lack of slickness, a music vital and alive, and a let-the-emotions-run style of rural music consisting of buzzy chords and riffs. These Fat Possum blues are rugged, unpolished blues at its zenith! Ford and other Fat Possum artists were featured in a lengthy article in the New Yorker. They are phenomenal! Ford has walked behind mules, at sawmills in the Delta, and was sentenced long ago to 10 years of the chain gang for murder. He served two! Ford has been described 'as earthy as the kudzu vine, and as gripping' He is a self-proclaimed dangerous man. He has recorded four outstanding CDs for Fat Possum.

Paul 'Wine' Jones is a welder from Belzoni, Mississippi and has recorded three CDs for Fat Possum. He performs in a more traditional original style of rural Mississippi Delta blues. His blues are gritty and as real as the rich, dark soil of the Delta lowlands. His laments are accompanied by a simple pounding guitar style sure to compare to the early blues of the region.

Bass player Cedric Burnside is the grandson of Delta blues legend R.L. Burnside.

Siegel-Schwall Blues Band, featuring Sam Lay

The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band was formed in Chicago in the mid 1960s. Harmonica player Corky Siegel and guitarist Jim Schwall were both born in Chicago and developed their blues skills working and sitting in at the famed Pepper's Lounge with such blues giants as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Willie Dixon. For a time they were the house band at Pepper's. With the emergence and success of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and the Charlie Musselwhite Blues Band, the Siegel-Schwall Blues Band signed a recording deal with Vanguard Records in 1965 and released their first album the following year, which resulted in national tours and appearances at the Fillmore Auditorium and other concert halls and nightclubs, to capacity crowds. Like Butterfield and Musselwhite, Siegel-Schwall were directly responsible for introducing blues to a new audience. Siegel has, throughout his career, worked in classical music as well and has recorded with the San Francisco Symphony and collaborated with Seiji Ozawa. He also released a CD on Alligator Records titled 'Chamber Blues.' Co-leader Jim Schwall is a Ph.D. and ran for mayor of Madison, Wisconsin. They have recorded 14 albums.

Drummer Sam Lay is one of the greatest virtuoso drummers in blues history. He began his career in Chicago, playing behind Little Walter and from 1960-66 worked as the drummer in the Howlin' Wolf Band. He appeared on over 40 Chess recordings! He backed Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and also appeared on Dylan's 'Highway 61' album. He was also a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and appeared on Muddy Waters' outstanding live recording on Chess, 'Fathers and Sons,' in 1969.

Bassist Rollo Radford has appeared on seven of the 12 Siegel-Schwall albums. He has worked with Dinah Washington, Martha and the Vandellas and the Neville Brothers.

Mannish Boys

The Mannish Boys are a collection of Los Angeles-based blues musicians representing some of the best performers currently on that scene. They all reflect different styles and certainly different generations, but their blues are strongly connected to the southern California history and development of blues. Vocalist Finis Tasby was born in Dallas, Texas, where he began his career as a musician in the bands of Big Mama Thornton, B.B. King, and Lowell Fulson. By the late 1960s and early '70s he moved forward and became a full-time vocalist. He has recorded CDs for Evidence and Shanachie Records.

Mickey Champion began her career on L.A.'s famed Central Avenue scene of the late 1940s and early '50s. She has shared the stage with such luminaries as Billie Holliday, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Count Basie. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Champion has toured with the Johnny Otis Orchestra and was a member of Roy Milton's Solid Senders. She also worked with Esther Phillips.

Guitarist Kid Ramos hails from Fullerton and was a member of the James Harman Band for seven years. He also worked with Hollywood Fats and was a member of Roomful of Blues. He joined the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1995. He has recorded five outstanding solo CDs.

Guitarist Franck 'Paris Slim' Goldwasser was born in Paris, France and has worked with Sonny Rhodes and Troyce Key. He was a member of the Jimmy McCracklin Band for three years. He has worked with Lowell Fulson and Percy Mayfield. He has recorded several solo CDs and his session work includes work with Chicago blues legends Homesick James and Jimmy Dawkins. He has lived in Southern California since 1998. He is much touted in his native France.

Pianist Leon Blue was a member of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue from 1964 to 1978. Born in Texas, he has worked extensively with the late Albert Collins, Roy Milton, and Albert King.

Harmonica player Johnny Dyer was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, where he was influenced by Muddy Waters, Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson. He moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and worked extensively with George Smith. He has recorded a number of outstanding CDs.

Drummer June Core has worked with Delta legend Robert Jr. Lockwood and Johnny Shines. His other work has included stints with James Cotton, Willie Dixon and Little Charlie and the Nightcats. He currently shares duties with Charlie Musselwhite.

Bassist Ronnie James is a current member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He worked with Little Charlie and the Nightcats for 10 years. He has also worked with Luther Tucker, Jimmy Rogers, Snooky Pryor and Billy Boy Arnold.

The Mannish Boys have recently recorded their first joint venture, 'That Represent Man,' on Delta Groove Records.

Sugar Pie DeSanto

Sugar Pie DeSanto has been called the Queen of West Coast Blues and a legendary figure in the history of Bay Area blues and beyond. Standing at 4'11' tall, she is known for her stage shows as a singer and a dancer. Her act is the bump and grind school of blues, which goes back to the era of her debut with Johnny Otis in 1955, who dubbed her Little Miss Sugar Pie. Her first recording was with Otis but in1959 she hit gold with a solo hit record, 'I Want to Know' for Checker Records. She subsequently became an opening act for James Brown for two straight years. She also toured with Gladys Knight, The Miracles and The Temptations, wowing audiences with her stage presentation and vocal delivery. She performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York and the famed Regal in Chicago. She has several follow-up hit records, 'Slip-in Mules' and 'In the Basement' with Etta James. Sugar Pie has written over 100 songs and performers who have covered her sons include The Dells, The Whispers, Fontella Bass, Minnie Riperton and Billy Stewart. Interestingly, she also toured with Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon and Lightnin' Hopkins, as part of the American Folk Blues tour in 1964. She has recorded three CDs for Jasmin Records and has appeared in recent years in Europe and the House of Blues Radio Hour.

Jackie Payne-Steve Edmonson Band

The collaboration of singer Jackie Payne and guitarist Steve Edmonson has been a perfect match. Their debut CD release on Burnside Records, 'Partners in the Blues,' has been critically acclaimed.

Payne, a super soulful singer in the school of Jr. Parker-Bobby Bland-O.V. Wright, was the lead singer in the Johnny Otis Band for 15 years. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Payne began his career in Houston, Texas where he recorded his first records and toured with such luminaries as Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland and others. Payne has a remarkable, classic vintage R&B and soul voice which has been defined as Stax meets Chess.

Guitarist Steve Edmonson toured for years as a member of the Dynatones. Leader of a band that can best be described as horn-driven blues, Edmonson has plenty of experience having worked with Van Morrison, James Cotton and Luther Tucker.

John Lee Hooker Jr.

John Lee Hooker Jr. carries on the family name of his father's notable music legacy. He started performing at age eight in his native Detroit, where he began working with such notable blues performers as Jimmy Reed. However, those expecting Hooker to follow in his father's footsteps by performing his famous father's music will be disappointed. Hooker has developed his own distinctive style and personality and brings a new sound to the Hooker legacy. It can be said that his style resembles more of a R&B and soul-blues school, as well as heavy influences of modern blues. He has developed a reputation for knowing how to work a crowd with a mature, self-assured style. Hooker Jr. has subsequently become a hot touring act with recent dates in Norway, Memphis, Chattanooga, Arkansas, NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, Des Moines, Kansas, Colorado and Utah. He is developing into a top act and plenty will be heard from him in the future.

Steve Lucky's Jump Blues Revue

Steve Lucky's little-big band sound, consisting of guitar, piano, upright bass, drums and horns, rocks in the great tradition of the 1950s jump blues bands. That era reflected the horn-driven sound of such groups as Count Basie, Roy Milton's Solid Senders and T-Bone Walker.

Pianist Steve Lucky learned boogie-woogie piano from Roosevelt Sykes and Pinetop Perkins and has recorded with Earl King, Duke Robillard, Odetta, Kim Wilson, Dave Meyers, Elvin Bishop and Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Early in his career he worked in New York City with Johnny Copeland. Lucky formed the popular Bay Area group The Rhumba Bums in 1993. They have an outstanding CD to their credit.

The group's guitarist, Miss Carmen Getit, is a devotee of the T-Bone Walker school of guitar!

Johnny Nitro and the Doorslammers

Johnny Nitro and the Doorslammers are a San Francisco-based blues group known for their club shows of high-energy blues. Guitarist Nitro is a regional guitar legend who is considered a master player for his tough note-biting guitar technique and a rough-delivered vocal style. They have recorded three CDs and are huge San Francisco favorites.

Gail Muldrow

Gail 'Mojo' Muldrow was lead singer and guitarist in the Johnny Otis Band for years. Her extraordinary guitar abilities put her in the category with such guitarist-singers as Debra Coleman, Debbie Davies and Joanna Connor. She has worked extensively with Merl Saunders and Graham Central Station. Her first solo album is soon to be released.

Big J.C. Smith

Big J.C. Smith is a new voice on the Northern California blues scene. As a guitarist-vocalist, his influences run the gamut of T-Bone Walker to pure Delta-driven blues. He is a former disc jockey who left radio to pursue a full-time career in blues. He has toured extensively and has performed in Europe, Mexico City and Chicago. He has been on bills with Koko Taylor, B.B. King, Phil Guy, Booker T and the MG's and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He has just released his first solo CD, 'That's What I'm Talking About.' Recorded in Chicago, it features Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith and Joanna Connor.

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