Page 56 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2017

Each year, the Porretta Soul Festival transforms the quiet town of Porretta Terme,
Italy, into a mecca of soul music Photo by Mattia Insolera

so significant to the town that Porretta Terme has both a Rufus
Thomas Park and an Otis Redding Street!
The festival was born in 1987 on the initiative of soul
music fan Graziano Uliani, who, after participating in the
celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Otis Redding’s death
in Macon, GA, decided to organize a festival in his honor.
The past thirty years have featured some of the biggest
names in soul, R&B and blues, including the likes of Mavis
Staples, Sam Moore, Irma Thomas, Bettye LaVette, Dorothy
Moore, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Bobby Rush, Vasti Jackson and
many more.
The festival features artists from around the world and
particularly from the U.S., as it is home to the genre. This
year’s lineup includes the Original James Brown Band, Ricky
Fanté, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Rob Paparozzi, Wee Willie
Walker, Willie Hightower, Scott Sharrard, Davell Crawford,
Vasti Jackson, and the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra Show
& Revue with Sweet Nectar, among others. Vaneese and
Carla Thomas will also perform a special tribute to Rufus
Thomas.
The atmosphere of the festival is joyful, and encourages
attendees and musicians to become as familiar as old friends
– such as is displayed in the intentional low height of the
stage, at level with much of the audience. Meander through
the historic center of town to experience free concerts in
the Rufus Thomas Cafe’s outdoor stages, and delight in
the the Soul and Streetfood Village’s offerings of Italian
and international street food cuisines. In conjunction with
the festival, the Porretta Soul Museum features an extensive
archive of materials that tells the story of the festival since
1988.
On receiving the KBA award, Founder and Artistic
Director Graziano Uliani commented, “We have always
tried to present artists who have been appreciated not for
their commercial value, but for their value as musicians and
this award recognizes our passion.”
For more information, visit www.porrettasoul.it

54 Blues Festival Guide 2017