San Francisco Blues Festival
The San Francisco Blues Festival , which was held for the first time in 1973, is the longest-running in the USA alongside the Chicago Blues Festival . It was founded by Tom Mazzolini to bring the history and development of the blues closer to the audience. Many of the acts in the early years of the festival pioneered the West Coast blues .
The event takes place in Great Meadow, Fort Mason, Marina District, one of the most spectacular venues in San Francisco overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge .
In 2009, for the first time in 37 years, the festival did not take place for economic reasons.
Performed artists
BB King , John Lee Hooker , Stevie Ray Vaughan , Bonnie Raitt , Albert Collins , Robert Cray , Albert King , Buddy Guy , James Cotton , Etta James , Taj Mahal , Keb 'Mo' , Little Richard , Ruth Brown with Allen Toussaint , Clarence Gatemouth Brown , Otis Rush , Dr. John , Carlos Santana , Los Lobos , Charlie Musselwhite , Johnny Winter , Buckwheat Zydeco , Hot Tuna - Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady , Denise LaSalle , David Honeyboy Edwards , The Delta Groove All Star Blues Revue featuring: Elvin Bishop , Eli Kirk Fletcher, Randy Chortkoff, Richard Innes and Ronnie James Webber, Barbara Lynn, Michael Burks , Ruthie Foster , Elmore James Jr., Rick Estrin and the Nightcats , Gospel Hummingbirds, Delta Wires Big Band, Ruth Brown, Koko Taylor & Her Blues Machine, Albert Collins & the Ice Breakers, Johnny Otis Show, Yank Rachell, Joe Louis Walker & the Boss Talkers, Katie Webster , The British Blues All Stars and many others
Tom Mazzolini
Born in Chicago, he came to California in 1963 and studied at San Francisco State University, where he graduated in American history. He also worked for Living Blues magazine for 12 years . In addition to founding the San Francisco Blues Festival, he plays host to the longest running blues radio show in the Bay Area . For his work as a producer he received the WC Handy Award in 1983 , among other awards for his services to blues music.
Web links
Homepage San Francisco Blues Festival
San Francisco Blues Festival on youtube