April has arrived heralding another round of sizzling sounds brought to Vinoy Park by Tampa Bay Blues Festival, which celebrates two decades in 2014 with a truly impressive lineup. While it’s not strictly all about the blues, the genre fits into the repertoire of every artist playing over the three-day fest.
Friday is headlined by Chicago and electric blues guitar rock icon Buddy Guy, while Blind Boys of Alabama provide a gospel-hued highlight on Saturday and snowy-haired Michael McDonald croons it to a close with his distinctive falsetto harmonies. The festivities culminate on Sunday with a funky, groove-riding Crescent City-soaked set by the “Soul Queen of New Orleans” herself, Irma Thomas. Palladium Theater hosts the Thursday kick-off party (a screening of the Killer B3 documentary followed by a concert with Hammond B3 organ master Tony Monaco and band), as well as TBBF after parties on Friday and Saturday nights, which gives acts playing earlier fest slots the chance to shine one more time.
DETAILS: Tampa Bay Blues Festival 2014, Fri.-Sun., April 11-13 at Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg (gates at noon), with a Kick-Off Party Thurs., April 10, 7:30 p.m., and After Shows on Friday & Saturday, both at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg (doors 9:30 p.m.). Single-day GA tickets are $40 each day Friday and Sunday, $50 Saturday (3-day GA tickets $110); $20 per night for the kick-off and each after show. VIP packages are also available. Complete more info at tampabaybluesfest.com.
Friday: Buddy Guy (8:30 p.m.), Shemekia Copeland (6:30 p.m.), Coco Montoya (4:30 p.m.), Matt Schofield (2:30 p.m.), Selwyn Birchwood (12:30 p.m.) [After Shows at Palladium with Montoya, Schofield and Birchwood.]
Saturday: Michael McDonald (8:30 p.m.), The Blind Boys of Alabama (6:30 p.m.), Tommy Castro and The Painkillers (4:30 p.m.), Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials (2:30 p.m.), Nikki Hill (12:30 p.m.) [After Shows at Palladium with Castro, Lil' Ed, and Hill.]
Sunday: Irma Thomas (8:30 p.m.), James Hunter (6:30 p.m.), Big Sam’s Funky Nation (4:30 p.m.), Tad Robinson (2:30 p.m.), George Porter Jr. (1 p.m.)