Erie Art Museum Blues & Jazz Festival Reveals Line-Up Headliner Talent to Include Lee Konitz Trio and Red Baraat
Summary
Headliner Super Chikan takes the stage at 6 p.m. James “Super Chikan” Johnson has been called a “present day exponent of an edgier, electrified version of the raw, uncut Delta Blues sound.” He began playing at the age of 13 on a second hand acoustic guitar with just two strings, and was deeply influenced by artists like Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker.One of the biggest names in Afropop music, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi got his start along with fellow Zimbabwean artist Thomas Mapfumo in the Wagon Wheels band in 1977.Tents set-up prior to this time will be taken down and can be redeemed at the Festival’s Information Tent.” Hallmark to the Festival is the Bucket Brigade – a group of community volunteers, which circulate through the crowd to collect a minimum $5 donation per person.Led by Sunny Jain on the dhol (a type of double-sided, Indian drum), Red Baraat is one of the most popular multi-ethnic bands in America today.Almost as signature as the legendary music at the Festival is the original artwork for the 20th Anniversary limited edition Festival poster created by artist John Bavaro.Festival merchandise for purchase includes limited edition organic cotton t-shirts, posters and fun items for the kids such as instruments, bubbles and glow-in-the-dark necklaces.Local vendors will cook-up festival fare ranging from Pittsburgh-style sandwiches and veggie burgers to funnel cakes and fresh squeezed lemonade.Again, this year, the Festival has partnered with Waste Management, the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park and WJET-TV, Fox 66, and YourErie.com build upon the Festival’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact and to create awareness of the need for environmental stewardship.The Erie Art Museum does not permit any tents to be set-up prior to 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6.