As if it was the natural occurrence at the midpoint between the far-flung artists appearing in Lafayette and in New Orleans this month, Blues Week will be showcasing the homegrown blues traditions of Louisiana at locations all over Baton Rouge beginning April 19 and culminating April 25 with an all-day outdoor concert near the Old State Capitol and the Baton Rouge River Center. Legends Bobby “Blue “ Bland and Percy Sledge will appear with Charlie Musselwhite, and Bonnie Bramlett & The Grove Band, Lil Ray Neal, Kenny Acosta and others will perform sets between noon and 9:30 p.m.
But some of Blues Week’s most interesting performances take place in the week leading up to the big showcase. Wetlands activist Tab Benoit plays Sunday, April 19, coinciding with the city’s Earth Day celebration downtown. At 5 p.m. on April 24, Henry Gray & The Cats get the weekend started right at the Live After Five festivities downtown with Buddy Flett. And don’t forget, as soon as the Baton Rouge Blues Festival is done April 25, you’ll want to drive down Old Scenic Highway to Teddy’s Juke Joint in Zachary and hear blind guitarist Bryan Lee tear it up on Highway 61. batonrougebluesfestival.org
