The 2015 Bradenton Blues Festival

“The Bradenton Blues Festival on the west coast of Florida is an annual festival featuring a stellar lineup of top blues artists. Food, drink, and an array of vendors complement the live music to create an awesome experience. The proceeds from the Bradenton Blues Festival support Realize Bradenton’s youth, art and music programs that are free to the community”.

Now in its fourth year The Bradenton Blues Festival held the first weekend in December, continues to grow. Produced for Realize Bradenton by Paul Benjamin it was a wonderful day of music and good friends.

Unfortunately by the time we arrived we had missed sets by “Girls With Guitars” and “Super Chikan”.

When we arrived Larry Garner was already on stage and his was a really good set. It had been several years since I had seen Garner and I was sure to speak with him afterwards.

The banner behind Garner shows you some of the sponsors of this year’s festival.

Following Garner appeared Mike Zito and The Wheel. Zito’s all-star band also includes New Orleans saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter and bassist Scott Sutherland whom has played with a long list of unusual suspects. I did not get a good photo of Zito so here is one from ace photographer Joe Rosen.

Following Mike Zito was Chicagoan Joanna Conner whom I was seeing for the very first time. Connor is quite the guitarist.

The next act was Rick Estrin and The Nightcats. I’ve tried to let the pictures do the talking; so here are some more photos.

The closer this special evening was Janiva Magness. She and her band were fantastic.

I’ll see you there again next year. Words and Pix by Richard Ludmerer – except Mike Zito photo by Joe Rosen.