Santa Cruz Blues Festival
The Santa Cruz Blues Festival is a two-day blues festival that has been held in the northern California city of Santa Cruz since 1993 . It was founded by Bill Welch, Michael Blas and Phil Lewis. Bill Welch is the owner of Moe's Alley, a blues club. Two years later, the San Jose Mercury News music critic Brad Kava joined the team. In the 18 years of existence, big names of the blues and roots music have appeared at the festival again and again . 200 volunteers and more than a dozen permanent employees help to run the festival. In addition to the attractions for the adults, there is also childcare during the festival.
The festival takes place on Memorial Day (last Monday of May) weekend at Aptos Village Park, a natural amphitheater located near the Pacific Ocean and lined with oak and sequoia trees.
Artists at the festival (selection)
- 1993 Albert Collins , Jimmy Rogers
- 1994 Johnny Copeland , Buddy Guy and Snooky Pryor
- 1995 Robert Cray , Bobby Blue Bland , Earl King
- 1996 John Lee Hooker , Dr. John , Elvin Bishop
- 1997 Luther Allison , Johnny Copeland , Clarence Gatemouth Brown
- 1998 Neville Brothers , Roomful of Blues , WC Clark
- 1999 Jimmie Vaughan , John Mayall , Rod Piazza , Gregg Allman , The Fabulous Thunderbirds
- 2000 Boz Scaggs , Lucky Peterson , Lil 'Ed and The Blues Imperials , Coco Montoya with Debbie Davies , Tommy Castro , Lonnie Brooks
- 2001 Jonny Lang , Keb 'Mo'
- 2002 Sonny Landreth , Shemekia Copeland
- 2003 Ray Charles , The Ford Blues Band featuring Robben Ford & Chris Cain
- 2004 Angela Strehli & Tracy Nelson , Buddy Guy & Double Trouble , The Holmes Brothers
- 2005 Solomon Burke , Elvin Bishop
- 2006 BB King , Roomful of Blues
- 2007 Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings, Etta James , Little Feat
- 2008 Bonnie Raitt , Pinetop Perkins , Hubert Sumlin , Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
- 2010 Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks , Taj Mahal , Buddy Guy , Coco Montoya