J.C. Smith Band
Don’t miss one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s top 5 best blues bands! J.C. Smith, a San Jose native, electrifies audiences with his soulful vocals and blistering guitar work. As The Mercury News raves, he “can belt out the blues with the best in the business.” A multi-award winner, including the 2024 Bay Area Black Music Awards “Male Blues Performer of the Year,” the 2024 Bay Area Jazz and Blues Artist Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2023 State of California Legacy Award, J.C. Smith is a blues force to be reckoned with. Experience his captivating live performance, a blend of raw talent and undeniable stage presence that has earned him a vast international following.
The James Cotton Tribute Band
Honoring a Blues Legend
Join us for a special tribute to the legendary harmonica master, James Cotton. Featuring Mark Hummel (Grammy-nominated, two-time Blues Music Award winner) channeling Cotton’s iconic sound and fronting a band of blues all-stars, this is a can’t-miss event. Steve Freund (guitarist for Sunnyland Slim, Koko Taylor, and 12 years with Cotton himself), June Core (drums), and Randy Bermudes (bass) complete this incredible lineup. Mark Hummel, who toured extensively with Cotton, brings an authentic and passionate approach to this tribute, ensuring Cotton’s music lives on. Experience the power and soul of James Cotton’s blues through the incredible talent of this all-star band .
Maurice Huffman & Volker Strifler
Late-night VIP Event at The Weller House
Shared Ground: Acoustic Blues & Childhood Memories
Prepare for an unforgettable evening as Volker Strifler, a blues guitar virtuoso whose innovative style blends Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Latin rhythms with a touch of New Orleans soul, joins forces with Maurice Huffman, award-winning blues artist (Monterey Bay Blues Festival, Cammie Awards, Sylphie Award) known for his captivating fusion of funk, Southern rock, and heartfelt ballads. Their decades-long friendship fuels a musical synergy that’s both light and breezy yet deeply rooted in sultry blues. Witness the magic of their interplay as they weave together a tapestry of sound and a history that’s sure to move your soul. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the musical reunion of Volker Strifler and Maurice Huffman. Get your tickets now for a night of exceptional music, shared stories, and pure joy!
Big Mo and the Full Moon Band
Get ready for a high-energy finale at the Fort Bragg Blues Festival! Big Mo and the Full Moon Band, featuring a full horn section, will close out the festival with their award-winning blend of blues, funk, and Southern rock (Monterey Bay Blues Festival “Best Blues Band,” 8-time Cammie Award winner, Sylphie “Musician of the Year”). They’ll be joined by special guest Volker Strifler, renowned blues guitarist and childhood friend of Big Mo. Experience the magic of their collaboration and the band’s electrifying sound. You’ll be on your feet before you know it!
Soul Circus Band
Soul Circus, a captivating blues & funk fusion ensemble based in Mendocino County, California, whose members have graced stages across the West Coast and beyond for over four decades. Their melodious arrangements, enriched with seamless rhythms, enthrall audiences of diverse ages, inspiring them to pack the dance floor. Drawing inspiration from iconic figures such as Stevie Wonder, The Neville Brothers, as well as lady soul sirens like Aretha Franklin and Linda Lyndell, Soul Circus delivers a mesmerizing performance that delights and engages listeners with every musical cadence.
Brad Wilson and the Rhythm Drivers
Brad Wilson and the Rhythm Drivers light up the stage with a high-energy blend of blues, soul, and funk that’s guaranteed to get you dancing. Drawing inspiration from legends like Muddy Waters and B.B. King, they infuse classic sounds with a contemporary edge, creating a dynamic and undeniably groove-worthy experience. Based in Sonoma County, the Rhythm Drivers have become a local favorite, electrifying crowds at wineries, breweries, festivals, and celebrations throughout the region. Their infectious energy and tight musicianship make them the perfect party band, bringing the house down wherever they play. Get ready to move!
Bella Rayne & Friends
A rising star, Mendocino’s 17-year-old guitar prodigy, Bella Rayne, is taking the music world by storm! Her electrifying blend of 70s psychedelic rock and 90s grunge, inspired by legends like The Grateful Dead, creates a sound that’s both captivating and original. This rising star has already shared the stage at Oracle Park (SF Giants Grateful Dead Night), earned recognition from her idol Susan Tedeschi, and even had the honor of playing Jerry Garcia’s iconic guitar. Witness Bella’s raw talent and infectious energy live as she ignites the stage. Don’t miss this chance to see a future guitar hero in the making!
Blue Luke
Imagine a band that takes the soul of the blues, the groove of the funk, the grit of rock & roll and the rich harmonies of jazz to create exactly what you’ve always wanted to hear. Blue Luke, a Mendocino local, fuses together pieces of soulful classics with modern improvisation that creates something entirely new. The spontaneous sound witnessed will satisfy the senses and fulfill the soul. Do not miss this truly unforgettable experience. According to Jeff Goll at KPFN Radio, “Blue Luke has been burning up local stages with an incendiary & downright mesmerizing mixture of rock, blues and jazz … Mind-bending jazz-rock fusion excursions, sweet-tasteful homages to the jazz ballad, earth-blues power riffing, soaring psychedelic journeys, addictive rhythms, melodies, beats… Superb chemistry and interplay.“.