Bluesfest performers starring in a Set of Super Sideshow!

25 January 2011

The Super Nova of talent lining up for 2011 Bluesfest will not fade away. Today Bluesfest is unveiling a stunning schedule of sideshows that will give Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide based audiences their own chance to taste some of the timeless treats that await the 22nd Bluesfest festival audience over the upcoming Easter weekend.

The 2011 Bluesfest bonanza of Grammy Award winners is already aiming to eclipse last year's triumph - it was voted Australian Event of the Year at the prestigious 2010 Australian Event Awards.

Bluesfest festival director Peter Noble has already assembled a galaxy of some of the world's best blues, roots, gospel, funk, and soul talent for the upcoming Byron Bay festival.

But now he is delighted to announce many of them will further showcase that talent for Australian music lovers in what will be a sought after schedule of "buy now and save the date" sideshows.

Guitarist extravaganza

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band
with special guest Robert Randolph and the Family Band

Beginning with the "must see" sideshow for aficionados of out-of-this-world guitar performance. We're talking here about none other than the new generation of guitar-slinging royalty and American roots and blues songwriting - husband and wife duo the Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band.

Grammy Award winner Derek Trucks is the youngest musician to make Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time". He innovatively blends rock, blues, jazz and world music into a sound he has made his own. Multi-Grammy nominated Susan Tedeschi is cementing her place as arguably this generation's greatest female blues guitarist/singer.

But we are also talking about the act that is right there with them in support on a fabulous double bill....the amazing funk soul pedal-steel master guitarist Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Eric Clapton is a huge fan of Derek Trucks and Robert Randolph, both having toured either in Clapton's band (Trucks) or as his special guest opening artist (Randolph).

Robert Randolph & The Family Band

"A Gospel Celebration!"

Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Aaron Neville
with special guest Mavis Staples

Here a legion of amazing artists will take the stage to deliver a pantheon of real-deal haunting gospel music. Yes, it's the irrepressible Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Aaron Neville. Getting the evening started will be none other than Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, absolute legendary vocalist and an inspiration to so many.

The Blind Boys of Alabama can claim a regard among music industry peers that is unrivalled. Along with 5 Grammy Awards - one for Lifetime Achievement - they can claim total reverence from musicians drawn from every genre. And it is not given easily. But they have shared the stage or collaborated with some of the finest musicians and songwriters. The list is breathtaking.

And for some special Australian performances their uplifting meld of gospel, blues and rock n roll will take on an extra dimension as they are joined by one of the most loved and 'sweetest voices in music', Aaron Neville. Against a career of constant recording success, he has picked the coveted Rolling Stone critics award for Best Male Vocalist. Not just once, but did it two years in a row. Rolling Stone's judgement is that Aaron Neville has reached "a highpoint in a career marked by artistic superlatives."

Mavis Staples and her Band

When it comes to recognition, Mavis Staples cuts the mustard. She has been named as one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll, as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of all time, has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and to cap it all is also a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient. With her new CD 'You Are Not Alone'- this legendary vocalist adds a remarkable new chapter to an historic career. Produced by Jeff 'Wilco' Tweedy (who gave her a whole new direction she says) ... she wanted an album in which "every song told a story... and gives you a reason to get up in the morning. And I know it's going to feel really good singing these songs on stage." There's no doubt about it!

And the soul times keep on rolling...

Irma Thomas - 'The Soul Queen
of New Orleans'

Into another special Bluesfest sideshow is stepping one of the finest singers from the birthplace of the sounds that shaped so much of the music that swept the world. We are referring to the one and only Soul Queen of New Orleans....
Irma Thomas. Any soul buff will fall off a chair at the prospect of seeing Irma Thomas live - she remains one of America's most distinctive and classic singers, a treasure from the golden age of soul music. And that "sadly, sweet voice of a fallen angel..." remains as compelling and powerful as ever.

Direct from Jamaica:
A Reggae double act to die for!

Toots & The Maytals with special guest Luciano and
The Jah Messenjah Band and Warrior King

Toots and the Maytals have been knocking 'em out across the globe for more than 40 years. And they have done it with a sound hailed as "a unique, original combination of gospel, ska, soul, reggae and rock'. That unforgettable sound remains as fresh today as when it first burned its way into our musical souls. We're not alone in believing so. In 2004 they won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album and they are raring to show sideshow goers just how they did it. And supporting them as special guest will be Luciano, who in 1995 emerged as one of the most important reggae singers in decades and the greatest hope for roots reggae's survival in the digital dancehall era.

Luciano's employs positive lyrical themes in his music. So much so that they have justifiably earned him the title of "The Messenger". Reggae fans know class when they hear it, and they warm to this inspiring yet humble singer when he unveils the true spirit of Jamaican reggae. He'll be doing as a wonderful counterpoint to Toots and Maytals.

Latino spectacular!

Los Lobos with special guest Raul Malo

The music of Los Lobos is a particular hybrid of traditional regional Mexican folk music, rock and roll, blues, R&B, country and other genres. It all comes together compellingly when the musicianship and showmanship of this talented group goes on show. Remarkably they have been together as a five-some since 1984. That must be one reason for the quality of their performance but the soul and spirit their music projects also helped them to three Grammy Awards.

Joining Los Lobos on this sideshow will be the Cuban-American singer Raul Malo who has collaborated with members of Los Lobos and others in the Latin supergroup Los Super Seven. Instantly recognisable as the distinctive voice of multi-million selling band, The Mavericks (Dance The Night Away - and so many more) Raul will be playing all the hits in this one-off intimate acoustic performance. Several music critics have paid him the compliment of comparing Raul Malo to Roy Orbison. This sideshow looks like being a definite must-see.

Raul Malo

One of the greatest voices in music today - and we will be hearing it for the first time in Australia

The Mavericks - multi-million-selling, Grammy award winners... remember... 'Dance The Night Away' and so many more hits... we all remember that distinctive voice... that wide smile... that incredibly infectious music... that's RAUL MALO.

Now a formidable solo artiste... most admit he has one of the finest voices in the music business today and several music critics have even compared him to the great Roy Orbison... RAUL MALO writes and performs some of the greatest latin, jazz, blues and country music in the world. His latest CD 'Sinners & Saints' is a crowning testament to the virtuosity of his great voice.. and when added to Raul's wicked sense of humour... then it becomes obvious that his sideshows are definitely not to be missed.

The righteous fuss about Funk

Funky Meters

Are you ready for the founding fathers of funk? That's not a title that is thrown around carelessly and certainly not one that can be claimed lightly. But step forward the
Funky Meters! Their trademark sound blends funk, blues, and dance grooves with an irresistible New Orleans vibe. The collective resume between the four artists in the band speaks volumes for the level of musicianship and creativity they possess. The Rolling Stones took them on tour, and artists as diverse as Dr. John, Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, and Patti Labelle wanted them as their studio band. This sideshow will show Australian funk fans what the fuss is all about.

For full bios on each Bluesfest sideshow artist announced
today visit the Bluesfest 2011 Side Shows page.