Jammin' Music
New Blues Festival 2016: Jammin’ in Long Beach
The New Blues Festival returns to Long Beach for the 2016 version on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 at El Dorado Regional Park. The Festival, now in it’s 3rd year, honors the 35-year tradition of the Long Beach Blues Festival and promotes the future of the blues art form for the next generation. Shows begin at 10am each day.
Festival founder, Bill Grisolia, describes the festival as an opportunity where, ” The greater southern California community comes together for a weekend of fun in ocean-breezy, shady El Dorado Park to preserve the past and provide for the future evolution of the blues and other popular music.”
in partnership with the Long Beach Blues Society, Grisolia explains that, “The festival provides for music education and “blues in the schools” for children in the greater Long Beach area as well as Los Angeles and Orange counties.”
PalacioMagazine.com spoke with New Blues Festival founder Bill Grisolia about the event and its significance.
Some New Blues Festival History
The Festival is now in its third year. It was expanded to a two-day event last year due to the success of the inaugural NBF. Then, over 2,000 music lovers filled the Long Beach Police Officers Association Park. According to Grisolia, NBF 2 was even more successful, drawing approximately 5,000 music lovers over both days. At this year’s Festival, you can continue to expect a food court, beer garden, VIP lounge and a vendor village.
“Los Angeles and Orange Counties have responded very well to the (New Blues Festival) concept. We definitely hit on a pent-up demand for a long-running inter-generational tradition, and we are excited to once again share all this great music with the public”, says Bill Grisolia, Founder and Producer of the New Blues Festival.
Big Llou Johnson
Big Llou Johnson to Emcee New Blues Festival
The New Blues Festival has tapped singer-songwriter, actor & radio personality Big Llou Johnson to emcee the weekend shows. According to the event organizers, some consider him the “Voice of the Blues” nationally. Over two-million blues lovers a week tune into BB King’s Bluesville, the world’s biggest blues station on Sirius XM Satellite radio where he’s heard daily.
This Year’s New Blues Festival Roster of Talent
Saturday, September 3
- Bobby Rush
- Kingfish
- Diana Rein & Papermoon Gypsys
- Generation Blues Experience with Ray Goren
- Other Mules
- Good News Blues Band
Sunday, September 4
- Lee Rocker
- New Blues Revolution
- Bobby Cochran
- Ray Goren & The Soul Fixers
- SeatBelt
- Teddy Lee Hooker
- Union Hobos
- Denny Smith Band
Information on New Blues Festival 2016
The New Blues Festival 2016 will be held at El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring Street, Long Beach. For more event and ticket purchase information, you can visit www.newbluesfestival.com or call (707) 57-Blues.