Page 74 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2022

LRBC: Where Rising

Stars Meet Legends

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Photo by Ÿ Joseph A. Rosen

By Anita Schlank Roger Naber makes it a point to bring on bands who stand out
One of my favorite things about a blues festival is the during the challenge each year. He explains, “I see the value of
opportunity to see music not only from old favorites, but also supporting up-and-coming IBC-winning bands by offering them
further national exposure. It’s fun to see musicians become even
artists I’ve not yet discovered. I had the pleasure of cruising on more popular on the cruises, and then go on to receive numerous
the 36 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (LRBC) through the Blues Music Award nominations.” The Keeshea Pratt Band (who
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Eastern Caribbean in early 2022 and can attest that the lineups won Best Band in 2018), the soul-blues band HOROJO Trio (Best
on the LRBC are no exception, with just the right mix of well- Band of 2020, with band member JW-Jones also winning the
established blues greats and newly rising stars. Gibson Guitar Award for Best Band Guitarist), and Hudspeth
At age 79, Taj Mahal has not slowed down much and is and Taylor (who twice represented the Kansas City Blues Society
frequently featured onboard the LRBC. However, his pairing with in the IBCs), were all featured. Naber says, “We can expect to
special guests John Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen once again see the Class of 2022 IBC winners performing on the
made his sets on this cruise even more special. For those who next LRBCs alongside many blues legends.”
love soul blues, there was Irma Thomas, the “Soul Queen of New While many believe that the blues is only for the over-50
Orleans.” Thomas shocked many when, at age 81, she proved crowd, several young musicians on the cruise proved that theory
that she has not lost any range or power to her beautiful voice. to be incorrect. The 23-year-old, newly GRAMMY award winning,
Leon Blue also demonstrated that age is just a number, and at singer/guitarist from Clarksdale, MS, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
91, he still wows audiences in the piano bar. is clearly on a superstar trajectory. And he was not the only
Some grown children of a few blues greats were also present “twenty-something” booked on the cruise who played with skill
to carry on the tradition. For example, guitarist/singer Ronnie and passion seemingly beyond his years. Berklee School of
Baker Brooks (son of Lonnie Brooks) is one of the favorite regulars Music graduate Gabe Stillman had previously won the esteemed
on the LRBC, and cousins Ivan and Ian Neville (sons of Aaron Gibson Guitar Award at the 35 IBC in 2019. Those who heard
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Neville and Art “Poppa Funk” Neville respectively) clearly his outstanding performances on the cruise were not surprised
inherited the talent gene during performances by their band to learn that he has just been nominated for Best Emerging Artist
Dumpstaphunk. Album at the 2022 Blues Music Awards.
New to some of the cruisers were bands who had recently John Németh is known for introducing new young guitarists
competed in the International Blues Challenge (IBC); LRBC CEO to audiences, and on this cruise, he brought with him two

72 Blues Festival Guide 2022