With the programming of this first edition of the festival we believe that our weakness for Chicago blues is clear. That is why for this special occasion we have brought together some of the best bluesmen from the Windy City to bring the most authentic and deepest Chicago blues to Bilbao. For this occasion the line up will be formed by:
Bob Stroger
Bob Stroger was born in Missouri but moved to Chicago in 1955 and lived in the back of a Chicago club where Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters played. Seeing how they played and how much fun they had, he also decided to dedicate himself to music, becoming over the years one of the great legends of the bass and blues in general. In Hondarribia we have already been lucky enough to have Bob here on two occasions. In 2015 he was awarded the Blues Hondarribia prize and this year he returns to transport us to the deepest blues of the windy city.
Kimberly “Hot Sauce” Johnson
Although she spent many years dedicated to gospel, R&B, jazz, rock and roll and musicals, Kimberly Johnson has been immersed in the deepest Chicago blues for more than a decade now. At her concerts, audiences can feel her passion in every blues she performs. Inspired by the likes of Koko Taylor, Etta James and Big Mama Thorton, it couldn’t be any other way.
Kenny “Beedee Eyes” Smith
Kenny Smith was born into blues royalty. He grew up in the same house where Muddy Waters once lived in Chicago, the home of the blues. Throughout his childhood, Kenny was surrounded by Muddy and his friends, including his own father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (1936-2011). These same blues icons helped shape him into the person and drummer he is today and provided his famous rhythm base for some of the world’s greatest and most respected moments and recordings.
Piano Willie
Undoubtedly one of Chicago’s most accomplished blues pianists on the road. As the San Francisco Examiner aptly defined him, Willie is a blues and boogie monster clearly influenced by Ottis Span.
Mike Avery
One of Chicago’s best kept secrets… until now. Influenced by the old school, Mike has deservedly become one of the greatest exponents of Chicago blues for the future.
Ari Seder
Composer and multi-instrumentalist, Ari Seder has quickly become one of the most in-demand musicians on the blues scene, playing with such blues stars as Jimmy Burns, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Johnson and Billy. Branch among others.
Joey Saye
This musician, born in Aurora, Illinois, has been a regular on the blues circuit and has shared the stage with all the greats of Chicago since he hung up his guitar at the age of 16.