April 18, 2018
Trinidad, Colorado; Trinidaddio Blues Fest, 8-25-18; Tickets ON SALE NOW!
Plus FREE PreFest Party, 8-24-18!
Headliner: 2018 Grammy Nominee Robert Randolph & The Family Band!
Central Park, Trinidad the 2018 edition of Trinidaddio Blues Fest will host another world-class lineup starring Robert Randolph & the Family Band ~ 2018 Grammy Nominee for Best Contemporary Blues Album for their 2017 release Got Soul! Many musicians claim that they “grew up in the church,” but for Robert Randolph that is literally the case. The renowned pedal steel guitarist, vocalist and songwriter led such a cloistered childhood and adolescence that he heard no secular music while growing up. If it wasn’t being played inside of the House of God Church in Orange, New Jersey—quite often by Robert and members of his own family, who upheld a long but little known gospel music tradition called sacred steel—Randolph simply didn’t know it existed.
Appearing just before Randolph will be Kenny Neal ~ 2017 Grammy Nominee for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Bloodline! If you want to experience the “Real Deal” take time out to find Kenny Neal. One of the strongest modern proponents of Baton Rouge swamp blues, Kenny Neal is a second-generation southern Louisiana bluesman who is cognizant of the region’s venerable blues tradition and imaginative enough to steer it in fresh directions.
Now a Trinidaddio tradition, Zydeco music will bring its jubilant high spirited excitement in the form of New Orleans native C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band! C.J., son of the late great Clifton Chenier, was a 2012 Grammy Nominee for Best Regional Roots Music Album, Can’t Sit Down. Jazz Police says they’re “One of the best Zydeco party bands on the planet.”
The Dave Specter Band returns to the festival with his Chicago/New Orleans Blues Review featuring Johnny Sansone and Brother John Kattke! Blues guitarist, bandleader and producer Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the USA!
2018 BMA Nominee for Contemporary Blues Female Artist and Instrumentalist ~ Horn, Vanessa Collier has unleashed her first album on the world called Heart Soul and Saxophone! Hailing from Baltimore and an alumnus of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Vanessa toured with bluesman Joe Louis Walker among others and has just signed with Intrepid Artists. According to Frank J. Lombardo of Nightlift Magazine, “Vanessa’s audience will always be provided with an exceptionally entertaining, high-energy performance containing an array and combination of musical genres. Her apparent passion for her music, refreshing stage presence, singing saxophone elegance and musicianship combined with her distinctive vivacious vocal inflections makes a Vanessa Collier show a unique musical experience and a must on any ones “need to see” list.” Vanessa will also headline the FREE Trinidaddio Blues Fest PreFest Party on Friday night the 24th.
Of course, Trinidaddio Blues Fest would not possibly be complete without the appearance of the Albuquerque Blues Connection. This crowd-pleasing band from New Mexico has performed at every single TBF since its inception, including all of the PreFest shows and 2018 will be no exception. Their boogie-driven primal blues have made them both a musical and sentimental crowd favorite in Trinidad and throughout the southwest.
Joining the line-up for the second time and opening the show this year will be Trinidad’s native guitar hero Zakk DeBono and the Broken Circle. When it comes to unforgettable songwriting and amazing guitar playing only one Colorado native is worthy. Making his way to the top of Reverbnation (#1) in Colorado for best blues/rock band with thousands of local bands he has definitely created a BIG name for himself and his band the Broken Circle.
Gates open at 11am with music starting by noon. Last call is at 8:45pm with the music ending sometime after 9pm. The Fest will include food, craft and many types of merchandise vendors and a display of Art-O-Cade art cars. As always, transportation will be available from the hotels and campgrounds. A phone number will also be on the website for other local pickups. There will also be entertainment for children.
Every year on the Friday night before the Fest, a PreFest Party is held to show appreciation to our sponsors and volunteers and showcase some of the talent appearing the next day at the Fest. As mentioned earlier, the PreFest Party will Star Vanessa Collier! Vanessa will be joined by The Tri City Trio featuring Al Chesis (Washington, DC) Bob Pellegrino (NY, NY) and Ken Saydak (Chicago, IL) and Los Albuquerque Blues Connection. The opening act will be the winner of the Colorado Blues Challenge in May!
The PreFest Party is a FREE event sponsored by the City of Trinidad Economic Development and will be held in the middle of the Central Business District. An “entertainment district” will be in place allowing attendees to walk with open containers of alcoholic beverages from the main stage area at the corner of Main & Commercial Sts to various restaurants, bars and other businesses within the district. Music will start at 6pm and last until at least 10pm. Don’t forget to bring a chair!
More info at TrinidaddioBluesFest.com.
May 1, 2017
Trinidad, Colorado; Trinidaddio Blues Fest, 8-26-17; Tickets ON SALE NOW!
Headliner: The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson!
Returning to Central Park, the 2017 edition of Trinidaddio Blues Fest will host another world-class lineup. Headlining this year’s show will be the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The T-Birds first appeared in the 1970s and despite numerous personnel changes over the years, they have maintained a top-shelf international profile and prolific musical output under the leadership of founder Kim Wilson. Not only did Kim establish himself early in his career as one of the top harmonica players in the world, but his playing. singing and writing have remained relevant and dynamic ever since, as evidenced by a steady stream of tours, collaborations, and recordings, and by his 2016 Blues Music Award as best harmonica instrumentalist.
Appearing just before the T-Birds will be two-time Grammy nominee and 2017 BMA nominee John Primer and The Real Deal Band, with special guest Ken Saydak. John was the guitar player in Muddy Waters’ last band, and the time John spent with Muddy cemented his commitment to real Chicago blues, the music that came directly from the plantations of the South to the urban centers of the North and influenced rock music for decades. Although he is the real deal blues, John is capable of updating the sound of his mentors and bringing a fresh approach, as he did in his star-studded 2016 release Muddy Waters 100, a tribute to Muddy’s career and music on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Joining John and his band will be Delmark and Evidence recording artist, pianist Ken Saydak, who has previously both toured and recorded with John.
In what has become a Trinidaddio tradition, Zydeco music will bring its joyous exuberance in the person of Nathan Williams and his band, The Zydeco Cha-Chas. In 2015 Nathan received the ZBT Clifton Chenier Lifetime Achievement Award, and he and his band were recipients of the Zydeco Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. They will bring their Louisiana dance party to both the festival’s Main Stage and pre-fest events.
2016 BMA Nominee for best Soul Blues Album, Tad Robinson returns to the festival with his band. Tad began his recording career on Delmark Records, and has since moved on to release a string of outstanding CDs on Severn, highlighting his voice, one of the strongest, finest, and most soulful gifts you will ever have the privilege to hear. His career has been marked by numerous awards and nominations, constant international touring, and steady growth as a singer and songwriter, placing him in the top echelon of blues crooners today.
2015 BMA Nominee for Contemporary Blues Female Artist, Alexis P Suter Band makes her first appearance at Trinidaddio this year. Since her debut album in 2005, this blues and soul dynamo has been racking up miles and plaudits on the festival circuit. Her talents have earned her spots opening for some of the great contemporary blues artists, and none other than blues legend B.B. King said of her when she appeared with him, “It’s a rare thing to share the stage with great talent like that young lady”.
The Trinidaddio Blues Fest would not possibly be complete without the appearance of the Albuquerque Blues Connection. This crowd-pleasing band from New Mexico has performed at every single TBF since its inception, including all of the PreFest shows, and 2017 will be no exception. Their boogie-driven primal blues have made them both a musical and sentimental crowd favorite in Trinidad and throughout the southwest.
Joining the line-up for the first time this year will be another New Mexico band, The Pleasure Pilots. This jumping juggernaut will bring the sweet strains of the music that gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll, the swinging sound which merged jazz with blues and became known as old school Rhythm and Blues. You’ll hear the influence of great artists like Amos Milburn, Louie Jordan, and Ray Charles in the music of this horn-driven R&B machine.
As sure as the National Anthem opens ballgames, local guitar virtuoso Jaquie Gipson will again open the 2017 Trinidaddio Blues Festival. Jaquie uses an arsenal of acoustic guitar techniques to create her original and magical music, which while not necessarily considered traditional blues, shares its deep soulfulness and spirit.
Gates open at 11am and last call is at 9:00 with the music ending shortly after that. The Fest will include food, craft and many types of merchandise vendors. There will also be entertainment for children.
Every year on the Friday night before the Fest, a PreFest Party is held to show appreciation to our sponsors and volunteers and showcase some of the talent appearing the next day at the Fest. This year, the PreFest Party will Star Alexis P Suter Band, John Primer and the Real Deal with special guest Ken Saydak, the Tad Robinson Band, Los Albuquerque Blues Connection and the opening act will be the winner of the Colorado Blues Challenge in May!
New for 2017, the PreFest Party will be a FREE event sponsored by the City of Trinidad Economic Development and will be held in the middle of the Central Business District. An ‘entertainment district’ will be in place allowing attendees to walk with open containers of alcoholic beverages from the main stage area at the corner of Main & Commercial Sts to various restaurants, bars and other businesses within the district. Music will start at 6pm and last until at least 10pm. Don’t forget to bring a chair!
More info at TrinidaddioBluesFest.com.
ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -July 26, 2016
CONTACT: PUBLICITY: Marc Lipkin / Chris Levick email: publicity@allig.com
RADIO: Tim Kolleth email: radio@allig.com
p.o. box 60234
chicago, illinois 60660
773-973-7736/773-973-2088 (fax)
www.alligator.com
SHEMEKIA COPELAND TO PERFORM IN TRINIDAD!
“Shemekia’s a ball-of-fire vocalist with a voice that’s part Memphis, part Chicago and all woman… devastatingly powerful. She’s a great singer, period.”
–Chicago Sun-Times
“Shemekia captures the timelessness of the blues while spinning it forward with remarkable maturity.”
–USA Today
Groundbreaking vocalist Shemekia Copeland, winner of the 2016 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, is touring in support of her Grammy-nominated album, OUTSKIRTS OF LOVE. She will headline the Trinidaddio Blues Fest in Trinidad on Saturday, August 27, 2016. With a voice that is alternately sultry, assertive and roaring, the three-time Grammy nominee’s wide-open vision of contemporary blues, roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with a modern musical and lyrical approach. Whether she’s belting out a raucous blues-rocker, firing up a blistering soul-shouter, bringing the spirit to a gospel-fueled R&B rave-up or digging deep down into a subtle, country-tinged ballad, Shemekia Copeland sounds like no one else. The prestigious UK publication The Blues says OUTSKIRTS OF LOVE is “a mature masterpiece of modern blues,” and named it
their 2015 #1 Album Of The Year. Copeland also won the 2015 Living Blues Award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female).
Concert information is as follows:
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2016
Event: Trinidaddio Blues Fest
Venue: Central Park
Address: 700 Smith Ave.
City: Trinidad, CO
Showtime: 7:40pm
Ticket price: $15-$70 / children 5 and under free
Website: www.trinidaddiobluesfest.com *See website for complete festival line-up and detailed ticket information
Please click on the link to access digital press kit (bio, full album stream):
www.soundcloud.com/alligator-recs/sets/sc-outskirts-of-love
*Please do not publish or distribute this link.
Copeland returned to Alligator Records in 2015 with OUTSKIRTS OF LOVE (she recorded four albums for the label from 1998 through 2006). The album finds her at her most charismatic, performing roots rock, Americana, and blues with power and authority, nuance and shading. Produced by The Wood Brothers’ Oliver Wood, OUTSKIRTS OF LOVE is a musical tour-de-force, with Copeland rocking out on the title track, taking charge in Crossbone Beach, honoring her father, the late Johnny Clyde Copeland with her Afrobeat-infused take on his Devil’s Hand, tackling homelessness on Cardboard Box and showing off her country swagger on Drivin’ Out Of Nashville. She puts her stamp on songs made famous by Solomon Burke (I Feel A Sin Coming On), Jesse Winchester (Isn’t That So), Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (The Battle Is Over), Creedence Clearwater Revival (Long As I Can See The Light), ZZ Top (Jesus Just Left Chicago), Albert King (Wrapped Up In Love Again) and Jessie Mae Hemphill (Lord Help The Poor And Needy). Friends including Billy F Gibbons, Robert Randolph, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Will Kimbrough and Pete Finney all add their talent with unbridled enthusiasm. The result is Copeland’s most decidedly contemporary and musically adventurous album of her still-evolving career.
When Shemekia first appeared on the scene at age 18 in 1998 with her groundbreaking debut CD, TURN THE HEAT UP, she instantly became a blues superstar. News outlets from The New York Times to CNN took note of Copeland’s talent, engaging personality, and true star power. She followed up with 2000’s Grammy-nominated WICKED, 2002’s TALKING TO STRANGERS (produced by Dr. John) and 2005’s THE SOUL TRUTH (produced by Steve Cropper). In that short period of time, she earned eight Blues Music Awards, a host of Living Blues Awards (including the prestigious 2010 Blues Artist Of The Year) and more accolades from fans, critics and fellow musicians. Two highly successful releases on Telarc (including 2012’s Grammy-nominated 33 1/3) cemented her reputation as a singer who, according to NPR’s All Things Considered, “embodies the blues with her powerful vocal chops and fearless look at social issues.”
Copeland has performed thousands of gigs at clubs, festivals and concert halls all over the world and has appeared on national television, NPR, and in newspapers, films and magazines. She’s sung with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, James Cotton and many others. She opened for The Rolling Stones and entertained U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait. Jeff Beck calls her “f*cking amazing.” Santana says, “She’s incandescent…a diamond.” At the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois officially declared Copeland to be “The New Queen Of The Blues.” In 2012, she performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Afterward, Jagger (with whom she sang) sent her a bottle of champagne.
With OUTSKIRTS OF LOVE and a packed tour schedule, Copeland has her eyes fixed firmly on the future as she continues to break new musical ground. “I want to keep growing, to be innovative,” she says. “I’m a lifer, singing about things that are important to me, using my music to help people. My dad always said ‘we’re all connected.’ I’m an old soul marching to the beat of my own drum,” she continues, “And right now I’m making the most exciting music of my career.”
04/28/2016
A Public Service Announcement
from Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc. A Colorado Non-Profit Charitable Organization
We are now accepting proposals for a PreFest Party venue. Proposals will be accepted until May 27, 2016. Venue should have a location and staff able to accommodate 350+ as well as adequate parking. Proposals should offer options for dinner, considerations for Blues Fest volunteers, staff and band members and/or other incentives as deemed by the venue proprietor.
Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc. will supply the entertainment, sound and lighting systems. Event location will be advertised on the Trinidaddio web site as well as most other print and broadcast media. Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc. will retain all proceeds from all ticket sales.
Proposals may be submitted in writing to:
Trinidaddio Blues Fest
1400 San Pedro
Trinidad, CO 81082
Or by email to: info@trinidaddio.com
04/20/2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The board of directors of the nonprofit Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc., has announced a stellar lineup of Grammy and Blues Award winning performers for the festival scheduled Saturday, August 27, at Central Park in Trinidad.
Headlining the 2016 Trinidaddio Blues Fest will be soul-singing sensation Shemekia Copeland, whose new CD, Outskirts of Love, received a 2015 Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album, and who also has received multiple top Blues Music Awards and nominations. Born in Harlem, daughter of Texas blues guitarist and singer Johnny Copeland, Shemekia began singing at a very early age with her father and recorded her first of many albums in 1998. Shemekia is currently calling Chicago home. For more information about Shemekia Copeland, go to trinidaddio.com.
Janiva Magness, a master of the lowdown blues, won her seventh Blues Music Award, “Contemporary Blues Female Artist” award recently at the 2015 Blues Music Awards ceremony. Touring widely in Canada, Europe and throughout the United States, Magness invigorates her songs with a brutal honesty, pouring herself into her music and her songwriting. For more information, check out the link to her website on trinidaddio.com.
Making a return performance at Trinidaddio is one of the Fest’s most popular performers ever: Grammy Award winner, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, which has recorded 10 CDs over the past several decades as they traveled throughout the world. Chubby is a third-generation Louisiana zydeco artist who began playing at age 12 and has never looked back.
There have been so many popular performers at Trinidaddio Blues Fest we decided to bring some of the fest’s favorite performers together as the TBF All Stars. The group has been put together by the TBF entertainment committee, headed by keyboard phenomenon Ken Saydak, (formerly of Chicago), who will also be performing with the group. Special guest members will include Tempa Singer, fresh from Haiku, Hawaii, (of the renowned Tempa and the Tantrums); from Denver, Colo., Erica Brown (the ever popular ‘Erica Brown Band’); and from Chicago, Harlan Terson on bass, Marty Binder on drums and Ron Sorin on harmonica (all members of The Blue Coast Band, a regular at Buddy Guy’s Legends); plus a special guest guitarist.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the Trinidaddio without an appearance by the Albuquerque Blues Connection (ABC), a group led by “Mexican ‘Ain’t nothin’ but the Blues’ Jerry.” ABC has got the crowd wound up to a mild fury at every Trinidaddio since the festival’s inception!
Two outstanding regional bands, Al Chesis and The Delta Sonics (named best blues band in Denver for 5 consecutive years by Westword magazine) and the Colorado-based Lionel Young Band, which has been touring and winning awards throughout the country, will showcase the extraordinary talent that is accessible to fans nearer to home.
Trinidad’s own 26-year-old Zakk DeBono will make his first appearance at the fest, following long-time TBF performer Jaquie Gipson; our favorite local singer/songwriter who, will once again open the fest, thrilling fans with her virtuoso guitar playing and unique vocals.
In a coup for Trinidaddio fans, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band will headline the Trinidaddio PreFest Party to be held Friday, August 26 (location to be announced at a later date), providing a lively jump-start to the weekend party. Chubby will be joined by the Albuquerque Blues Connection, and to open we will be entertained by the John Weeks Band; John Weeks is a recipient of the People’s Choice Holley Award, Guitarist, from the Colorado Blues Society for 2015! More information about Trinidaddio Blues Fest, the performers and the PreFest Party can be found at trinidaddio.com.
Tickets for both Trinidaddio Blues Fest and the Trinidaddio PreFest Party may be purchased online at trinidaddio.com: $30 general admission ($35 at the gate), $50 for VIP seating ($55 at the gate), and $30 for the Friday night PreFest ($35 at the door). Links for sponsors, vendors and volunteers also are available online.
03/27/2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The board of directors of the Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Inc., a Colorado Non-Profit Charitable Organization, has voted to move forward with plans for a 2016 edition of the Trinidaddio Blues Fest, the popular music festival, formerly held annually at Central Park in Trinidad for over a decade before being suspended in 2012
The Trinidaddio Blues Fest, funded through generous business and patron sponsorships, grants and ticket sales, has drawn as many as 6,000 enthusiasts to Trinidad’s Central Park, and has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenues for the city.The festival traditionally has bee held on the weekend before Labor Day, and thus the date for the 2016 Fest will be Saturday, August 27, 2016.
In announcing plans for the 2016 Blues Fest, Jerry Campbell, board chairman, said “The non-profit decided to move forward following indications of strong support from numerous fans, city government and local businesses.” “Hundreds of volunteers are needed to put on this event,” Campbell said, “and many previous volunteers have already indicated their commitment for the proposed event.”
In addition to providing spectacular shows of local, regional and world-class blues performers, the Trinidaddio Blues Fest also has donated thousands of dollars to other local nonprofits, including Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Assn. (a No Kill animal shelter), the Trinidad Area Arts Council, the Fireman’s Toy Drive and Trinidad Cancer Alliance, among numerous others.
Dates and times for public meetings regarding the 2016 Trinidaddio Blues Fest will be announced this fall, with new sponsors and volunteers welcomed, along with valued participants of past events.
For more information, please check us out on Facebook and GoFundMe.com, email us at info@trinidaddiobluesfest.com and visit Trinidaddio.com for updates.
