Soulful harmonica, electrifying fiddle, boogie-woogie piano, driving guitar and so much more makes the Bradenton Blues Festival line-up a treat for all music lovers – but especially blues aficionados. For the price fans normally pay to see one Blues group, guests enjoy eight diverse Blues groups – many of which are Grammy-nominated.
Now in its 10th year, the Bradenton Blues Festival – voted Best Blues Festival in the Country in 2015 – invites guests to spend the day strolling around and relaxing at LECOM Park while listening to talented blues musicians and enjoying delicious food, as well as local craft beer, full bar, and other refreshing libations.
For more information, visit: www.bradentonbluesfestival.org
Kicking off the Bradenton Blues Festival Weekend is the Blues “Appetizer” Concert Friday evening; followed by the Bradenton Blues Festival on Saturday, presented by BMO Harris Bank; and wrapping up the weekend on a LOCAL note is the Blues Brunch, produced by Mattison’s Grille, Downtown Bradenton Riverwalk on Sunday.
The festival generates a short- and long-term economic impact of spending and investment. Spending at downtown hoteliers, dining establishments, and entertainment businesses goes up considerably during that weekend according to sources (business owners and managers). In 2019, ticket buyers hailed from
In addition to fostering a healthy business climate, the Bradenton Blues Festival weekend enriches the community through “Blues in the Schools.” Ticket proceeds and donations provide a meaningful way to support our youth arts and education initiatives.
Blues musician Willie Dixon once said: “The blues is the roots: everything else is the fruits.” Blues music is the foundation for nearly all popular styles of music listened to today. Although not played on today’s Top 40 radio stations, this genre of music attracts people from all walks of life precisely because it is unique. And recent blues-y hits by artists like Amy Winehouse, Elle King, and Leon Bridges are spurring a resurgence of interest among young people in a movement some are dubbing “Nu-Blues.”
Read more about the Bradenton Blues Festival’s historic 10th year anniversary and the history of the blues with an article from Blues Music Magazine’s Art Tipaldi: “Bradenton Celebrates the Blues.”