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Blues Festival Defers To Easter

Concerted Efforts

New Orleans singer Irma Thomas, a first-time Tampa Bay Blues Fest guest, performs at 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

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By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 19, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - The blues once was known as the devil's music, but the Tampa Bay Blues Fest is reverent enough to yield to religious holidays.

The festival usually occurs the second weekend in April, festival president Chuck Ross says. But this year, that's Easter weekend.

"That would present too many conflicts," Ross says. "Better off to relocate into March."

The move hasn't hurt advance ticket sales, Ross says, nor did it affect the festival's ability to draw top-shelf performers.

"There were plenty of artists interested in performing," Ross says.

Among this year's performers are The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClinton and New Orleans singer Irma Thomas, a first time Blues Fest guest.

Others appearing include Curtis Salgado, "a tremendous harmonica player and vocalist," Ross says. Salgado was laid low for a while with an illness that required a liver transplant, but "he's regained his health and is sounding better than ever," Ross says.

Ross also is excited about Tommy Castro's Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue, an all-star lineup featuring former J. Geils Band harmonica player Magic Dick, Deanna Bogart and Ronnie Baker Brooks.

"It's a big extravaganza, basically two hours of blues," Ross says.

The performances began informally when the musicians were appearing on a Blues Cruise, which takes fans out to sea with some of their favorite performers.

"They got to be friendly and said, 'This sounds great,' and the next thing you know, here they are," Ross says.

The music will continue after the festival shuts down today and Saturday, with after-hours parties featuring bands from the festival.

"I think it's gonna be a great way to socialize with blues lovers from all over the world in an intimate setting," Ross says.

The after-hours shows will be at Nova 535 in St. Petersburg.

"It's a really nice venue, classier than your typical blues bar," Ross says. "Every now and then blues deserves to be treated to a special place."

Maybe Ross just wants to celebrate after a close call. The festival, now in its 16th year, lost a major sponsor, but quickly picked up another.

"We dodged those obstacles and came out with a strong festival," Ross says.

THE LINEUP:

Today: Fabulous Thunderbirds (8:30 p.m.), Curtis Salgado (6:30 p.m.), Coco Montoya (4:30 p.m.), Lurrie Bell (2:30 p.m.) and Robin Rogers (12:30 p.m.)

Saturday: Delbert McClinton (8:30 p.m.), Tommy Castro and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue (5:30 p.m.), Ruthie Foster (3:30 p.m.), Eric Lindell (1:30 p.m.) and Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps (11:30 a.m.)

Sunday: Irma Thomas (8:30 p.m.), Bernard Allison (6:30 p.m.), Darrell Nulisch (4:30 p.m.), Tinsley Ellis (2:30 p.m.) and Seth Walker (1 p.m.)

After-hours parties are at Nova 535, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King St. N. in St. Petersburg. They begin at 10 p.m. and admission is $20.

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Tampa Bay Blues Fest

WHEN: Today-Sunday

WHERE: Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive and Fifth Avenue Northeast, St. Petersburg

COST: $30 a day ($75 all three days); ages 11 and younger free

DON'T BRING: Pets, coolers, beverages, professional recording devices, large canopies

MORE INFORMATION: (727) 502-500 or www.tampabaybluesfest.com

Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568.

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