The celebrated Blues Bonanza will boogie into its 16th year in July, bringing world-class acts to the city and joy to the streets in what has been called one of the best free festivals in the world.
This year”s event is bigger and better than ever with more local support and the chance for youngsters not only to hear some blues legends in action but also to start learning the secrets of this great musical tradition for themselves.
There were times in these recent and difficult couple of years, when it looked like the Dundee Blues Bonanza might not make it. In spite of its huge popularity and what now amounts to a global following, things were so tight this time last year that even the most dedicated fans were wondering whether the 15th version of an event that brings literally thousands of people to the city, could again pull the rabbit out of the hat and enjoy its usual huge success.
With the support of Dundee venues, the public and blues fans from all over, that success did indeed happen. The enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteers who put the pieces together every year to make the boast ‘all day, all free, all blues” come true have never given up on their mission to make Dundee the blues capital of Scotland, through good times and bad.
They came through and No 16 is now well on the way to making a bigger and better mark than ever. This year, they now have the support of the Angus and Dundee Innovation Development Fund, which has enabled July 23″s promotional event at Duke”s Corner, featuring Mud Morganfield and the Dirty Aces plus Bonanza stalwart L”il Jimmy Reed and his Kickass Band.
Morganfield is the eldest son of blues legend Muddy Waters. Very much his own man with his own style, he loves to combine his original songs with some of his father”s greats and is regarded as one of the major attractions on the demanding US blues scene. On Sunday, Dj vu will host the DBB party, again featuring Mud, L”il Jimmy and hosted by renowned guitarist Otis Grand.
Sandwiched in the Saturday-into-Sunday slot is the famous street festival. Some 30 venues are already signed up to host acts and it”s reckoned there will be more than 120 live performances. Chairman Bob Telford said, “Last year was very successful, when things might have gone the other way because of the context we”ve all found ourselves in over the last 18 months or so.”
The bonanza has also teamed up with Billy Allardyce”s Scottish Blues Alliance, which has promoted awareness of blues music in Scotland for the last six years. Set up after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the alliance”s first action was to stage a benefit concert in Aberdeen in which 12 Scottish blues outfits took part for musicians affected by the disaster.Blues familyBilly reckons it all part of being one big blues family and Mud Morganfield’s booking came through Billy and the alliance. “I”ve been playing for 52 years, from the days when the only venues you could play blues in were the jazz clubs of the time. My dad was a musician and I always say I was ‘born in a dance hall!’
“It”s the most amazing kind of music for bringing people together and that”s what the alliance and events like the Dundee Blues Bonanza are all about the feeling and the enjoyment are second to none.”
The Dundee event itself has strong links to the great blues past, as well as its vibrant present. Mrs Margaret Johnston, mother of committee member Ivor Johnston, was at the forefront in promoting blues in Scotland in the 1960s. No less a figure than John Mayall called her “the blues pioneer of the north,” she was instrumental in bringing artists like Howlin” Wolf, Otis Spann (Muddy Waters’ half-brother), Juke Boy Bonner and a clutch of homegrown artists to Scotland under the name of Blues Junction.
Dick Wardell played at the first bonanza in 1995 and this year is going to conduct work shops for would-be blues boys and girls of the future. These would cover two age groups, juniors from the age of nine or 10 and an older section.
Dick said, “We are going to be able to use the top-floor meeting room at DCA on Sunday, July 25, between about 11am and 3pm, and are currently alerting schools to the event which I hope, will bring in a wide range of kids to take part.” The youth element has always been a part of the plan.
Last year, L”il Jimmy Reid did a workshop for children in Cupar and young performers have also got in on the act in 2007, 14-year-old Krissy Matthews led his own band and is now a regular on the circuit.
Dick said, “Kids can bring their own instruments if they have them or start from scratch with us. They”re the future of what we do.”
Dundee Blues Bonanza takes place on July 23 and concludes on the night of July 25.
Dick said, “We are going to be able to use the top-floor meeting room at DCA on Sunday, July 25, between about 11am and 3pm, and are currently alerting schools to the event which I hope, will bring in a wide range of kids to take part.” The youth element has always been a part of the plan.
Last year, L”il Jimmy Reid did a workshop for children in Cupar and young performers have also got in on the act in 2007, 14-year-old Krissy Matthews led his own band and is now a regular on the circuit.
Dick said, “Kids can bring their own instruments if they have them or start from scratch with us. They”re the future of what we do.”
Dundee Blues Bonanza takes place on July 23 and concludes on the night of July 25.