The Hawrelak Park Amphitheatre was filled almost to capacity with blues music fans of all ages to enjoy different styles of the genre, from blues rock to Zydeco, to old-fashioned Austin blues.
Paul Oscher’s Austin Blues All Stars was the first act on Saturday, and a highlight of the weekend. A former harmonica player in the legendary Muddy Waters’ band, Oscher has gone on to have an international career, and has more recently settled in Austin where he performs regularly.
Fiona Boyes, from Australia, showed her incredible power on electric guitar. This was her third appearance at the Edmonton Blues Festival.
Sugar Brown (born Ken Kawashima), won the 2013 Toronto Blues Society talent search. Although he is a relative newcomer to the Canadian blues scene, his music comes across as professional and seasoned, with a modern sound.
With her cat’s eye glasses and amazing voice, Laura Rain and her band The Caesars brought some R&B to the festival.
The legendary Lil’ Jimmy Reed teamed up with British pianist Bob Hall for an incredible set that saw Reed go out into the audience a couple of times, without missing a note.
British blues-rock band Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown closed the festival with their energetic vibes.
New this year were “special guests” — local musicians who provided a couple of tweener sets on Saturday and Sunday, such as Bobby Cameron, a noted singer/songwriter and guitarist who is well-known in Edmonton’s music scene.
