Santa Cruz Blues Festival 2008
Bonnie Raitt Joins Jimmy Thackery at Annual Outdoor Blues Concert
May 31, 2008
Despite fires hovering in the mountains nearby, the town of Santa Cruz hosted a grand event that lit up Memorial Day weekend. The 16th annual Santa Cruz Blues Festival took place on May 24th thru the 25th at Aptos Village Park. Bill Welch, the events primary organizer, decided to pull the trigger on the concert despite the looming smoke and media coverage.
Those who attended were thankful they had a place to dance, eat, and gather together as some would be losing their homes to mother nature's impending wrath. “It was an incredible day, one of the best SCBF's to date” said Lenny Zack, a Cruz Blues Fest veteran and owner of lennyzack.com, an online retailer which specializes in rare albums (blues and more) and high end audio.
Bonnie Raitt and Al Green Play 2008 Blues Fest
This year’s show featured the pioneering talent of Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, Coco Montoya, Jimmy Thackery, and brought many other artists into the coastal community. While these names spotlight the forefront of the genre for many, there were, in addition, a handful of true living legends on stage as well.
The myth of Pinetop Perkins came alive through his thundering piano licks and solos. A man in his late 90’s, his musical prowess was as powerful on stage as those half his age. With a line-up such as this the crowd had no illusions regarding the level of performance they would be experiencing. Bonnie Raitt sealed the concert with a treat. She indulged the audience in a rare jam with Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.
These seasoned players were as fluid together as a band would be after decades playing with one another. Their energy was palpable, and so engaging the pushy concert security had to throw up their hands by the time they were done. This was a musical pairing that may never share the stage again, and blues fans seemed keenly aware of the gravity in this onstage moment. People wanted to move, and rightfully so. This was an outdoor event, not a concert hall. The only thing more intense than the activity onstage was the crowd's consistent reaction.
Fires Threatened to Cancel of Blues Fest
Many concert goers assumed the event would be cancelled. With the mountains engulfed in flames and only 20 percent contained at the time of the show, cancellation was a serious consideration. There was however, quite a distance from the danger zone to the venue. This afforded Michael Blas (concert producer) the ability to proceed with the show with confidence. A wise choice, as this festival carried on without a glitch.
The weather was textbook Santa Cruz in summer: Overcast and breezy, yet warm and cozy. Sunlight gleamed through the clouds with the music’s crescendos. Magical conditions for dancing, or simply absorbing the blues. No bands disappointed, from the opening act (JJ Grey & Mofro) to the headliners. Children young enough to be the performers’ grandkids were dancing alongside blues fanatics, ex-hippies, and bikers. Even the vendors seemed joyful, which reflected in the reasonable booze and food prices.
Blues Music’s Influence on Youth
Living architects of the blues movement are quickly playing their way into rock-n-roll heaven as the year’s progress, and so the spectacular musicianship also served as a blues education for those lucky enough to attend. While it is sad to slowly say goodbye to the remaining living proof of a musical era, fans must embrace their contributions now more than ever. Rock-roll is food for the soul. The vibe at this year’s festival proved that music can always bring people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds together on the dance floor, even if that floor is a dusty campground in the middle of a beachfront community. Everybody came to play, and show both young and old that soul is as important today as it was 40 years ago.
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