Authors note: The following post provides an overview of the full, two-day 2024 Greeley Blues Jam. I have also prepared full performance review posts from several of the main artists… you will find links to those reviews embedded within the post below.
If you’re a fan of blues and blues rock music who lives anywhere close to the northern Colorado front range, you are no doubt familiar with the Greeley Blues Jam. Born on August 5 of 2005, the event is firmly established as the premier blues music festival in Northern Colorado. Billed as “Nothin’ But A Party,” the (now) two-day festival celebrated its 20th anniversary this past weekend in fine style. I was there for the entire thing, and I will attest that it was, indeed, quite the party.
The festival’s inaugural event in 2005 was a somewhat humble event compared to what took place this past weekend. It’s kind of hard to call an event that featured the legendary Buddy Guy as the headliner “humble,” but the overall four-act, single day lineup (which also featured Marcia Ball, The Duke Robillard Band, and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin) was a bit modest when compared to what it would eventually evolve into.
According to founder Al Bricker, “It changed the landscape of the music scene in Greeley and Northern Colorado.” I had a chance to chat with Al for a few minutes before things got rolling on Saturday. He and his wife Pam, who co-founded the event, are stepping away from the Greeley Blues Jam Committee following this year’s event. Blues music lovers everywhere in Colorado owe the Bricker’s a huge debt of gratitude.
This year’s event featured twenty-five different artists/bands, performing at 16 different venues, over a two-day period. The Friday afternoon/evening “Friday Fest,” which took place in downtown Greeley outdoors at the 9th Street Plaza as well as at 14 other venues, flooded the downtown area with awesome music, playing pretty much continuously from 4:00 pm through midnight. Headlining the Friday activities, playing on the outdoor Main Stage, was the incredible Alastair Greene. Greene has been rolling out terrific blues and rock music since 1997, both as a solo artist and as a member of such notable acts as Alan Parsons, Sugaray Rayford and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. For a full review of Greene’s performance, click on this link… Alastair Greene – Greeley Blues Jam – June 1, 2024 | Denver Entertainment Hub.
Opening for Greene was local favorites The Delta Sonics, who cranked out their unique blend of Chicago style blues blended with Swing, Delta, N’awlins R&B, and early Rock n’ Roll. Featuring Al Chesis on harmonica and lead vocals, the Delta Sonics are a staple as an opening act for national touring acts visiting Denver. Their lively opening set, which featured a guest appearance by local harmonica maestro Nic Clark, was a perfect kick off to an absolutely incredible night.
The Main Stage performance ran from 5:30 to 9:00. Immediately following, a veritable laundry list of local and regional blues acts took stages at venues that included the Moxi Theater, Kress Cinema, Stella’s Lounge, Tightknit Brewing, 477 Distilling and a host of additional downtown hot spots. If a place had a stage, or even room for one, there’s a good chance there was a band playing. All of the venues, including the Main Stage, offered free admission. It all added up to a city-wide party of epic proportions, and a blues themed evening not soon to be forgotten.
The Saturday “main” festival took place at Island Grove Park, with the music starting at 11:30 am, running continuously one two stages (minus a handful of planned 15-minute breaks between acts) through just shy of 10:00 pm. Performing acts, presented in order, were The Jimmys, Blue Recluse, Melody Angel, Chris Daniels & The Kings, Selwyn Birchwood, Dennis Jones, The Danielle Nicole Band, My Blue Sky, and The Blood Brothers (Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito).
(A limited number of pics from the day can be found in the gallery below. A more comprehensive set of pics will be posted on my personal website, www.rickwittphotography.com, in the days to follow. Full performance reviews for the Danielle Nicole Band and Blood Brothers can be accessed via the following links… Danielle Nicole Band – Greeley Blues Jam – Saturday, June 1, 2024 | Denver Entertainment Hub; Blood Brothers – Greeley Blues Jam – June 1, 2024 | Denver Entertainment Hub.)
The stated goals and purpose of the organizers of the Greeley Blues Jam is to “preserve blues music and genres heavily influenced by it.” Their stated mission is to “keep the blues alive by providing non-stop music, shopping, food, and entertainment.” In addition to the extraordinary music lineup discussed above, the event featured an absolutely crazy array of food trucks, vendor booths, and beverage options to suit every taste and disposition. Many of the Friday night performances took place at venues that served food. (Personally, I enjoyed an excellent late-night dinner at the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant while enjoying the music of the Jack Hadley Band.)
So, let’s see… Non-stop music? Check. Shopping? Check. Food? Check. Entertainment? Check and double check. Greeley Blues Jam overall grade? A++.
A HUGE shout out to everyone associated with the Greeley Blues Jam, for their gracious and generous hospitality. Everyone associated with the Jam, from the security people to the volunteers to members of the Jam Committee, were absolutely wonderful. Special thanks to Al Bricker and Chris Haug (who will be more or less taking over for Al and Pam as they step aside) for spending time with me and making room for me to be a part of this absolutely stellar event.
Story and pictures by Rick Witt www.rickwittphotography.com
