After already announcing a huge 2011 Bluesfest lineup that included the likes of Bob Dylan and BB King, Organisers have now announced another list of acts. This is the third announcement so far after a second announcement that included Jethro Tull and many other awesome acts.
The New Bluesfest announcement for 2011 includes:
Leon Russell
George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic
Luciano and Jah Messenjah Band
Imogen Heap
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Ernest Ranglin
Raul Malo
Michelle Shocked
Peter Rowan & The Blue Grass Band
Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
Eli Paperboy Reed; The Bamboos
The Mad Bastards
Warrior King and Bonnie Casey
The Hands
Bobby Alu
Hussy Hicks
Here’s what festival director Peter Noble had to say:
“This announcement defines what sets Bluesfest apart: the depth of quality, diversity of cultures and artistic backgrounds and enough music for the young and not so young, that ensures you’ll come with a smile on your face and leave with a smile on your soul!
“Today we’re talking about George Clinton Parliament/Funkadelic – who along with Ernest Ranglin, mentioned below, are both among the most requested artists by Bluesfest fans asking us to bring them back following their KNOCK-OUT previous performances. George Clinton, of course, is the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic and one of the most important innovators of funk music alongside James Brown, Sly Stone and 2011 Bluesfest artists the Funky Meters. And folks, on our Tuesday our 6th day, all 32 of those Parliament/Funkadelic madmen will be performing their renowned 3 hour show!
“We’ve also got Leon Russell –2011 is the year of the re-discovery of Leon Russell, marked by his acclaimed 2010 collaboration album with Elton John called The Union, a feature article in RollingStone, and soon to be followed with his being inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 for “Music Excellence”. Leon is the genius musician, arranger, producer, singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and touring musician who has collaborated with hundreds of artists including Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, J.J. Cale, B.B. King, Gram Parsons, Ike & Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, and on it goes.
“His first songwriting success was Joe Cocker’s 1969 version of “Delta Lady”, he then went on to organise Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour – documented in the famous concert film with the same name.
“Leon Russell’s other most well known songs include: “A Song for You” later reinterpreted by Ray Charles, and also in 2005 by Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera, “This Masquerade”, “Superstar” – best known as a hit for The Carpenters in 1971, plus “Hummingbird”, “Tight Rope” and “Lady Blue”.
“A part of Phil Spector’s studio group that created the famous the ‘Wall of Sound’, Leon Russell played on many popular successes of the 1960s, including songs by The Byrds, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Bobby “Boris” Pickett, and Herb Alpert.
“There’s the magic of Imogen Heap the Grammy Award-winning British singer, composer and songwriter who is bound to be a big hit with our younger Bluesfest audience. She is known for her stunning singles “Hide and Seek”, “Headlock” and “First Train Home” – a brave and adventurous artist this one.
And I know many people will be ecstatic about Ernest Ranglin – the Jamaican guitarist and composer EXCLUSIVE to Bluesfest 2011 folks, and for many, the finest instrumentalist to ever play at our festival – and someone who must be easily the planet’s best 79 year old guitarist! You cannot imagine Jamaican music without mentioning the name Ernest Ranglin – he is the rock on which it was built. Probably after Bob Marley, Ranglin is the most respected musician to hail from that tropical paradise.
“Ernest is just such a delight to listen to… notably blending jazz and reggae to amazing effect. Best known for his session work at the famed Studio One, he helped give birth to the ska genre in the late 1950 and has played on many classic Jamaican recordings, and performed with artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Monty Alexander, Prince Buster, The Skatalites and the Eric Deans Orchestra.
“Bluesfest 2011 is bound to contain so many of those special, defining BLUESFEST moments that people will talk about for years to come. We’re all really proud of our lineup to date – AND you can bet the remaining 25 or so artists to be announced will continue to surprise and delight you – so bring it on!”
Artists already announced include:
Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Cat Empire, Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Aaron Neville, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Fistful of Mercy, Mavis Staples, Xavier Rudd, Trinity Roots, Kate Miller-Heidke, Washington, Little Bushman, Tony Joe White, Indigo Girls, Eric Bibb, Ash Grunwald, Ruthie Foster, C.W. Stoneking, Jeff Lang, Saltwater Band, and RocKwiz Live, Grace Jones, Jethro Tull, ZZ Top, John Legend, Gurrumul (Bluesfest exclusive), Toots & the Maytals, Funky Meters, Irma Thomas, Booker T, Los Lobos, Kasey Chambers, Pete Murray, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band, The Dingoes, Diesel, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, B.B. & the Blues Shack, Joe Louis Walker, Phil Jones & the Unknown Blues, The Snowdroppers, Ray Beadle, Nat Col & the Kings, and Barrence Whitfield, Paul Kelly; Buffy Sainte-Marie; Tim Finn; Eli Paperboy Reed; and The Mad Bastards.
Bluesfest 2011: Thursday 21st April through to Monday 25th April
