By Ken Clarke
Thousands of blues lovers of all ages congregated to Shaw Millennium Park last weekend for the sixth annual Calgary International Blues Festival.
Once again the four day celebration featured a impressive line-up of blues musicians from around the world, who provided the masses with a dizzying array of various blues styles.
Mississippi Heat
After joking about the long drive up from Chicago, this talented ensemble layed down an energetic mix of classic blues with a contemporary edge.
Annika Odegard
With the Randy O Band backing her up, Odegard won the crowd over with her hearty voice and Joplin-esque stage presence. The University of Calgary student brought to the festival a collection of blues standards topped with an emotional delivery of “Stormy Monday.”
Little Feat with Coco Montoya
A definite highlight of the weekend was Montoya’s unannounced three song improvisation with California’s Little Feat. Backstage after the extraordinary jam, the guitar virtuoso remarked, “I didn’t know what I was doing, but I had fun!”
The Holmes Brothers
This New York trio performed an uplifting set of soulfully funky blues with heart-felt vocals. Their amazing three-part harmony sounded at times like a gospel choir.
The Chicago Blues Reunion
Led by harmonica guru Corky Siegel, these all-stars delivered a truly inspired and authentic Chicago blues set. An appropriate close the final day of the festival.