RWC PAL PRESENTS the
2011 SUMMER BLUES FESTIVAL
July 22-23, 2011
COURTHOUSE SQUARE
DOWNTOWN REDWOOD CITY

MUSIC ON THE SQUARE ART ON THE SQUARE		Friday night, July 22nd, 2011 - 6pm-8pm  6:00pm Earl Thomas & The Blues Ambassadors This San Francisco-based band achieves its distinctive sound from the international heritage of the blues, which is reflected in the multi-ethnic composition of the ensemble featuring musicians whose backgrounds embody both San Francisco’s cultural diversity and the stylistic roots of the blues. Accompanying frontman Earl Thomas, the band is comprised of musicians of African, Asian, East Indian, and European descent who collaborate in performances that fuse contemporary styles with rich vocals and compelling showmanship. "A paragon of clarity, economy, and tastefulness…” -Blues Revue Magazine www.earlthomasmusic.com/main.html Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 - 11am-8pm  11:00am Blues Cadillac Blues Cadillac is a Blues-Rock Dance Band with a bit of Jazz influence. Their positive musical energy and infectious beat are always crowd pleasers. “Powerful and straight ahead, great vocals and musicianship.” In a few words that’s Blues Cadillac. No fancy words or long explanations needed. Just as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and other greats captured the passion and energy of their time, so Blues Cadillac adapts and reanimates the sound and Spirit of those masters. Check it out. “Come for a cruise in the Blues Cadillac.” bluescadillac.com  12:00pm John Le Conqueroo John Le Conqueroo has been laying down soul drenched R+B for over 10 years. With a love for Stax Records, Doyle Sahara and his grooving, horn powered seven piece outfit will get you out of your seat and on to your feet, bare footing and shouting for more. So get ready for a Greasy Vocal Set, because the fuse is lit, and it's gonna blow your top!  1:00pm Tip of the Top Tip of the Top, a semi-finalist band in Memphis in February 2011 at the IBC world finals, is hands down the hottest and most talked about independent band in the Bay Area today. This world class group features veteran bluesmen Jon Lawton (guitar and vocals), Frank De Rose (bass), Aki Kumar (harmonica and vocals) and Carlos Velasco (snare drum). Tip of the Top, with their 1950’s musical style, brings the blues to life like few other bands in the Bay Area. It is no surprise that their CD’s have received rave reviews from blues fans and music critics alike. “Tip of the Top is a class act… Reminds me of the traditional Chicago Blues that I love… their music sounds fresh and exciting.” -Tommy Castro www.tipofthetopmusic.com  2:00pm Ron Hacker After teaching himself to play guitar, Ron met the late Yank Rachell, famous partner of Sleepy John Estes. Yank trained Ron on the finer points of Delta Blues, and they became life-long friends in the process. The actor Peter Coyote helped Ron get his first gig in San Francisco and it wasn't long before Ron put together the Hacksaws and was tearing it up in clubs all over the Bay Area. Since then, Ron has played every major festival in Northern California, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Blues Festival and the Marin County Blues Festival. Ron has also toured extensively in Europe playing major festivals in Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Norway and has put out five albums. www.ronhacker.com  3:00pm Rusty Zinn's Roots Reggae Band Rusty Zinn has travelled the world over performing Blues and Soul music, but they were just the beginning of Rusty’s musical journey, which ultimately led him to pursue his deep-rooted love and passion for all things Reggae. Rusty felt a necessity to make a pilgrimage to Kingston, Jamaica and record a project in the birth-place of Reggae music. To record his latest CD, “Manifestation”, Rusty was joined on the six song session in Kingston’s Mixing Lab studio by the great Sly Dunbar on Drums, Boris Gardiner on Bass, Robbie Lyn on Keyboards and the legendary Scully Simms on kettle drum and percussion. With true reggae royalty pedigree such as this lineup behind him, Rusty has created a very soulful piece of Reggae art. rustyreggae.com  4:00pm Mark Hummel with Nathan James Veteran road warrior harmonica man and blues shouter Mark Hummel has just released his UNPLUGGED:BACK PORCH MUSIC CD on MountainTop Records. It is a primary acoustic CD of pre-war blues styles and early Chicago Blues featuring harmonica and guitar. RW Grigsby plays upright bass on much of the CD and for this festival. Mark has crafted his own trademark harmonica sound - a subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack combined with a strong sense of swing. With his passion for blues, and American roots music, Nathan James is probably the foremost young country blues guitarist on the planet today, playing in the styles of the older players such as Lonnie Johnson,Tampa Red,Robert Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy. James is also a fine singer and harp player. Marty Dodson plays drums on this outing. Hummel and James both play international dates with their own bands, but this is a rare performance together. www.markhummel.com and www.nathandjames.com  5:00pm Alabama Mike and 3rd Degree Alabama Mike is a hard-driving Chicago style blues singer with the ability to make you feel as if you’ve revisited the early CHESS RECORDS days. With a soulful voice that brings such greats as Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Little Johnny Taylor and yes, even BB King to mind, you will be asking yourself, “Why haven’t I seen or heard of him before.” Alabama Mike is a very unique talent, not only a gifted singer but also a very talented songwriter, having penned over half of the tunes on this impressive debut. Alabama Mike is embarking upon a bright future and is an artist that anybody that has any interest in the Blues will soon notice. alabamamikeblues.net www.myspace.com/alabamamike1  6:00pm Johnny Rawls Singer, songwriter, guitarist, arranger and producer Johnny Rawls draws on the 1950s' and '60s' deep soul-blues tradition in his guitar playing, yet his lyrics and singing are completely 1990s. Johnny Rawls is a journeyman musician in the best sense-he's out there playing, writing, and recording for the simple reason that it's what he does. And he does it very well, indeed. In 2008, Johnny released Red Cadillac, which charted #1 on the Living Blues radio chart. He was nominated for Best Male Soul Blues Artist and Best Soul Blues Album by the Blues Foundation and won the Critics Award for Best Album of the Year by Living Blues Magazine. Johnny tours constantly, playing well over 200 dates a year and can also be heard on XM radio's Bluesville. Whether he is playing in a small club or a large blues festival, Johnny gives it his all and the crowds love him! www.johnnyrawlsblues.com Art on the Square Art on the Square showcases the best in fine arts and crafts each month between June and September at Courthouse Square in downtown Redwood City. Discover unique painting, photography, jewelry, glass, ceramics, and more at prices for every budget. There's exquisite jewelry at every show, and for those who can't get enough of it we've added Jewelry on the Square in July. Come for the art and stay for the great music, food, and fun. Art on the Square is featured at the festival this year on Friday July 22nd from 5:30pm - 8pm and Saturday July 23rd from 11am - 8pm. www.redwoodcity.org/events/Art_on_the_Square.html

At the RWC Downtown Courthouse Square

Admission is FREE

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