Blues music is unlike any other genre and is defined by strong emotions and rhythm. Behind every guitar strum and soul-driven voice is a story of inequality told through music.
The origins of blues aren’t well documented, but it is widely believed that African-Americans created the genre after the American Civil War, which spanned from 1861 to 1865.
Oppressed and economically disadvantaged African-American communities in the Deep South of the United States created blues as a form of healing and creative freedom.
Blues were often performed by formerly enslaved black men who drew inspiration from hymns, minstrel show music, work songs, and field hollers for their music.
The earliest references to blues date back to the 1890s and early 1900s, including W.C. Handy’s composition “Memphis Blues.”
W.C. Handy’s composition became incredibly popular, earning him a reputation as the “Father of the Blues.”
Blues quickly spread across the states but didn’t see popularity in Canada until the early 1960s.
One of the oldest Canadian labels specializing in blues and related music is Stony Plain Records, a record company based in Edmonton.
The record company was established in 1976 by Holger Petersen and is credited for releasing over 300 albums.
Petersen is a major supporter of blues in Alberta and has hosted CBC Radio’s Saturday Night Blues since 1987. He also served as the artistic director of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival from 1986 to 1988.
This year’s Edmonton Folk Music Festival is set to start on August 8 and will feature a variety of music genres, including blues.
However, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival isn’t the only festival promoting blues.
Edmonton Blues Festival
The Edmonton Blues Festival is celebrating its 25th year after Cam Hayden founded the festival in 1999.
The festival will celebrate its birthday from August 16 to August 18 at the new Klondike Park at the Edmonton Exhibition Lands.
The new stomping grounds for the festival include plans for a football field-sized space for a lawn, trees around the perimeter for shade, a place for a stage at the south end, and a vendor row along the boardwalk.
The Edmonton Blues Festival is one of the most successful of its kind and received the “Keeping Blues Alive” award in 2008 from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation.
“It’s all about the music…and I feel so fortunate to have been able to share my love of music with so many people and be part of this incredible musical community. Keep diggin’ the Blues!” said Hayden.
This year’s festival is kicking off with artists like Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Vanessa Collier, and Booker T’s Stax Revue, a collection of Booker’s greatest hits.
Tickets are available at the festival’s website and cost $144 for adult weekend passes, $70-75 for single-day adult admissions, $70-75 for youth (13-17) weekend passes, $35-40 single-day youth admission, and free for children 12 and under. All listed prices are before tax.
Calgary International Bluesfest
Edmonton isn’t the only city with a passion for blues. The Calgary International Bluesfest is celebrating its 20th year and promises a good time.
From July 29 to August 4, the Calgary International Bluesfest will host workshops, concerts, and special events for four days of blues-related fun.
Jazz singer Cindy McLeod has been the producer and artistic director for the festival since 2005. She strives to make the Calgary International Bluesfest an inclusive event that tells the story of blues.
She believes musicians are better than any textbook for helping people understand history. Local blues historian, musician, and songwriter John Rutherford hosts the Walk Through Blues History event.
During the event, Rutherford interviews blues musicians, focusing on the genre’s history, how blues has evolved, and the music’s impacts on both musicians and audiences.
On July 30, the festival will host a guitar workshop where Brother Ray Lemelin will teach participants the basics of guitar, how to play a blues song, and the essential harmony needed to make a blues song.
In addition to music, the festival will have family-friendly activities, an arts market, a beer tent, food trucks, festival souvenirs, and more.
Tickets can be purchased online at the Calgary International Bluesfest website. The four-day festival pass costs $137.50, whereas individual day passes cost between $45 and $62.50 before tax. Passes for children aged 12 and under are free. All prices listed are before tax.
If you’re interested in blues music and history, you don’t want to miss the Edmonton Blues Festival or the Calgary International Bluesfest.
