Realizes Bradenton’s
“Blues Bar Buzz”
Launches 2015 Bradenton Blues Festival Season With
Dave “Biscuit” Miller
July 24, 9 p.m. < Ace’s Live Music
This event builds buzz for the Bradenton Blues Festival on December 5 at the Bradenton Riverwalk.
(Bradenton, FL) Are you ready for the blues? To help gear up for the fourth annual Bradenton Blues Festival, Realize Bradenton is re-launching the “Blues Bar Buzz,” a concert series showcasing top blues artists performing at local music venues. The first “buzz” event will be held at Ace’s Live Music, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. in Bradenton on Friday, July 24th at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance; $12 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.aceslivemusic.com. At each “buzz” event, festival tickets will be available for $5 off the advance ticket price of $30 (for a cost of $25) and festival hats, t-shirts and limited-edition posters will be for sale. In addition, free raffles will take place between sets for general admission tickets and t-shirts.
According to Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organizing force behind the festival, the Blues Bar Buzz, “helps shine a light on our region’s celebrated blues venues and artists. Sarasota-Manatee is home to a host of award-winning artists and clubs, offering up inspired, soulful blues every night of every week. We’re proud to show our solidarity with them.” The Blues Bar Buzz promotion is held at venues that are sponsors of the 2015 festival.
The Blues Bar Buzz kick-off concert showcases Dave “Biscuit” Miller, Friday, July 24, 9 p.m., at Ace’s Live Music, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. in Bradenton. Raised by his grandmother in the south side of Chicago, Miller was born into the blues. Now based in Indianapolis, singer-bassist Miller projects overtones of blues, funk and soul. According to DownBeat magazine: “He’s a real crowd-pleaser, quick with sensual come-ons, as in the metaphor-feast, ‘Butter My Biscuits,’ and the dreamy, tender-hearted ‘Blow A Kiss.'” For more info about this concert, call Realize Bradenton at 941-621-6471 or visit www.RealizeBradenton.com/Buzz.
The 2015 Bradenton Blues Festival returns to downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, December 5, 2015, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with an all-star lineup that includes Janiva Magness, hailed by critics as one of the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today; harmonicist and songwriter Rick Estrin with his band, The Nightcats, thrilling audiences and critics alike with their fresh, original blues injected with a solid dose of gritty roadhouse rock and roll; guitarist and vocalist Joanna Connor, who is being called the most exciting new talent on the blues scene; multi-Blues Music Award-winner Mike Zito and his acclaimed band, The Wheel; Bluesman of the Year, guitarist-songwriter Larry Garner; the celebrated Mississippi vocalist and guitarist, James “Super Chikan” Johnson; “Girls With Guitars,” three electrifying musicians who are quickly conquering the blues world; and the teen brother-and-sister duo, Cole and Logan Layman, collectively known as In Layman Terms.
Gates open at 10 a.m. The music starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Last year’s festival was at capacity, so organizers are stressing the importance of buying tickets in advance. Tickets for the 2015 Bradenton Blues Festival are the same as 2014: $30 in advance; $40 at the gate, cash only; $25 per person for groups of 10 or more; $20 for students; and $10 for children, ages 5-12. Children four and under will be admitted free. A limited number of reserved front-of-stage seats are available for $75 per person. Tickets are available online and at Keeton’s Office & Art Supply, 817 Manatee Ave. West, in Bradenton. For more information and to buy tickets online, visit www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.
About Realize Bradenton
Realize Bradenton is a nonprofit organization that brings people together to create a vibrant and prosperous Bradenton area. For more information, visit: www.RealizeBradenton.com.
