Page 46 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2016

Celebrating two special Blues Festivals

every year, the Blues Foundation presents Keeping the Blues alive (KBa) awards to both an international
and a u.s. blues festival, in recognition of their significant contributions to the blues community. this year,
honors went to the Cahors Blues Festival and the Chenango Blues Festival.

Cahors Blues Festival Chenango Blues Festival

Founded in 1982 by Gérard Tertre, the Cahors Blues Festival The Chenango Blues Festival in Norwich, NY, is a non-
is the oldest blues festival in France. Tens of thousands of people profit event run entirely by a group of volunteers committed
from all over Europe are attracted every July to Cahors, France, to presenting music “by fans, for fans.” What began as an
for the festival’s free afternoon concerts, evening main stage afternoon event with four bands has evolved into a two-day
concerts, and “blues in the city” evening in which Cahors’ festival drawing artists and fans from around the country to
sidewalk cafes and restaurants host blues performances, giving the beautiful Chenango valley to enjoy world class musicians,
Cahors the look of a town in the Mississippi Delta. Not only does great food and craft vendors, children’s activities and on-site
the festival feature renowned Delta bluesmen and Memphis camping.
artists, but it also reveals little-known musicians to the public This year, the 24 Annual Chenango Blues Festival kicks off
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through its talent competition. Organized and implemented by with a free concert on Friday, August 19 . Headliner Davina
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thousands of passionate and enthusiastic volunteers over the and the Vagabonds, a show-stopping band playing music
past 30+ years, the festival is deeply dedicated to promoting rooted in early 20 century blues and jazz, will be preceded
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the culture and further development of the blues. by young British guitar slinger, Laurence Jones. Saturday will
In 2006, Robert Mauriès became the festival’s president and feature nine bands on two stages with artists such as Canned
CEO to continue Tertre’s vision. In 2014, Cahors was granted Heat, Carolyn Wonderland, Curtis Salgado and more.
a Mississippi Trail Marker, the second in Europe. Johnny A unique feature of the festival is their tent stage, where
Winter’s last performance was on the Cahors Blues Festival many performers play acoustic style. One act you won’t want
stage in 2014 and a year later, Mauriès inaugurated a street to miss is the Northwest roots music duo Ben Hunter and Joe
of Cahors in his name to commemorate the artist. In 2015, the Seamons, winners of the 2016 International Blues Challenge
European Blues Union awarded Mauriès and the Cahors Blues Solo/Duo division.
Festival with the Behind The Stage European Award. And now The Chenango Blues Festival is something of a throwback
in 2016, the Cahors Blues Festival is honored to receive the – operating without paid staff or profit motive, it’s about as
Keeping the Blues Alive award. different from the mega music events as you can get. It’s friendly,
This year’s festival is July 12 -16 and features artists inexpensive and everything about it is comfortable. The family-
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including Shakura S’Aida, Vintage Trouble, Taj Mahal, Eric friendly vibe has helped attract a great group of attendees
Bibb and JJ Milteau, Sugaray Rayford, Gaelle Buswel and whose networking has largely fueled the event’s growth over
The JB’s – The Original James Brown Band featuring Martha the years. “By fans, for fans” is a street that happily runs both
High. For more information, visit www.cahorsbluesfestival. ways.
com or find them on Facebook! Full information on this year’s festival can be found at
www.chenangobluesfest.org, or look them up on Facebook.
They would love to see you this August to help them celebrate
this year’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award!

Robert Mauriès (center), President and CEO of the Cahors Blues Festival, celebrates
their KBA award, joined here by Blues Foundation’s Barbara Newman and Paul Fans flock to the beautiful site of the Chenango Blues Festival to enjoy a wide variety
Benjamin Photo by James Wessel of artists Photo courtesy Chenango Blues Festival

44 Blues Festival Guide 2016