The ninth New Blues Festival took place at Shoreline Aquatic Park, just minutes from the Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, and downtown hotels on August 23rd and 24th . The Long Beach harborside location offered panoramic waterfront views, much needed cooling ocean breezes and lots of green spaces perfect for dancing or relaxing to the music. The two-day festival featured a strong mix of national headliners like Ana Popovic, Dennis Jones and Delgado Brothers. There were also a diverse array of regional artists and local rising stars that put on impressive performances.
While the greater Los Angeles area was hit with a late Summer heat wave, the fans that attended the New Blues Festival in Long Beach escaped the intense heat and enjoyed a weekend of excellent blues music next to the breezy harbor. VIP guests had reserved seats in a shaded area, but general admission ticket holders were allowed to bring in beach type chairs, blankets, umbrellas and personal belongings. There was plenty of shade available under the trees and anywhere that guests sat or stood provided a great view of the stage. Unlike at most music festivals, which reserve the sections closest to the stages for VIP guests, at New Blues Festival, general admission ticket holders could sit or stand directly in front of the stage. Oddly, people did not do that until the last two acts each day.
On Sunday there was a second stage set up along the water a short distance from the main stage. Set times on each stage overlapped so attendees had to choose who to see. Although outside food and beverages were not allowed on the premises, there were a variety of food trucks and vendors offering selections at reasonable prices. The entire event was very chill with excellent musicians offering a variety of blues styles. Bands showed off their chops playing electric Delta grooves, soul-drenched ballads, blues-rock and even some modern jazz. With all that talent and a beautiful setting to enjoy it, it was odd that the festival was so lightly attended. There were perhaps a few hundred people each of the two days, while the park could easily accommodate a few thousand. Ticket prices were reasonable, so the poor attendance was baffling.
Weekend highlights included:
- George Foster contributed a hard charging blues, hard rock, and soul set loaded with his blistering Gibson guitar solos. His vocals were solid and a few tributes to blues greats like BB King and Elmore James were inspiring.
- JazzZone Ensemble offered modern jazz interpretations in a trio setting with a drummer, upright bass player and electronic keyboards. All three musicians were exceptional and Angela Morgan sat in as a guest vocalist who belted out a few sultry songs.
- Jessica Kaczmarek and her fine band delivered a set of scorching blues tunes. Kaczmarek has a robust voice and her guitar playing was first rate. Talented harmonica player Dennis Gruenling sat in for a few tunes including a smoldering cover of Little Walter’s “It Ain’t Right.” Gruenling and Kaczmarek traded impressive solos.
- Sizzling guitarist and vocalist Dennis Jones headlined the Saturday lineup. Most of his songs were rapid fire, guitar focused blues tunes. A few ballads showed off Jones’ vocal range and impressive guitar technique. He closed the show with a tease of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” before launching into his interpretation of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.”
- Pearl-Bailey Band played a Sunday midday set. Bernie Pearl is the Godfather of Southern California blues – he founded the “Nothing But the Blues” radio show on KJAZZ 88.1 FM and the Long Beach Blues Festival that ran from 1980 to 2010. Pearl and guitarist Ray Bailey traded guitar solos and the band played catchy originals along with covers like Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Further on Up the Road” and Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.”
- Familiar Faces played a raucous set on the Ocean Stage. The local four-piece band features the guitar shredding twins Sean and Chad Bierman. The group played a few originals that were blues inspired rockers, but really got the crowd riled up with covers of The Box Tops’ “The Letter,” JJ Cale’s “Crossroads,” and Elmore James’ “The Sky is Crying.” They closed the explosive set with Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” that segued into Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” before returning back to Dazed.
- New Blues Festival Allstars put on a pleasing show on Sunday afternoon. Their set included a cover of Earth Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star” and T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.” Vocalist Angela Morgan sat in for Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove’s “Tennessee Whiskey.” Vocalist Shy But Flyy, who performed earlier in the day, sat in for Muddy Waters’ “Got My Mojo Working.”
- Delgado Brothers’ Joey, Stevie and Bobby Delgado led their band through an enjoyable set of roots rock, Latin soul and blues. Joey’s guitar solos blazed while he and drummer Stevie alternated on lead vocals. Their song “If I Don’t Get Home,” recorded in the studio with John Mayer, was a soulful, blues tune with a passionate guitar solo.
- Laurie Morvan has an engaging stage presence to go along with her commanding vocals and guitar playing. Her tight band played several of her up-tempo songs including the rowdy “Mojo Mama” and “Shoulda Known Better.” Morvan ripped solos all set and ended with her “I Want Answers” that transitioned into Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.”
- World renowned modern rock and blues guitarist Ana Popovic brought her big band to close the New Blues Festival in Long Beach. Popovic played several songs from her thirty-year catalog. “Just Rise” and “Queen of the Pack” showed off her incredible guitar chops, inspired vocals and the tight horn arrangements by her trumpeter and saxophone player. A sultry cover of Tom Waits’ “New Coat of Paint” exemplified Popovic’s enthusiastic vocals and riveting stage presence.
The New Blues Festival in Long Beach, CA was a delightful weekend event for blues lovers. The comfortable outdoor space with generous access to the talented performing artists, all at bargain prices made this event a pleasure to attend. Maybe they need better marketing and promotion to attract bigger crowds. The festival is a hidden gem that provides two days of excellent entertainment, so if you’re in the greater Los Angeles area next year when the tenth festival rolls into Long Beach, CA, make sure you check it out.
Photos courtesy of Andy J Gordon ©2025
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