August 2003 Feature Story

Bumbershoot Tribute to Rythm and Blues

featuring Ruth Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Howard Tate, Maxi Priest, Shemekia Copeland, Duffy Bishop, backed by Austin de Lone Band & Syncopated Taint Horns, North Mississippi Allstars open

Ruth Brown’s initials show just how essential her role was in the development of rhythm & blues. Brown is also given credit for saving Atlantic Records with her hit songs in the 50s including “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” and “5-10-15 Hours”. More recently she had another hit with “If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ On It.” One thing for sure, this Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and true national treasure is essential to any R&B tribute.

The Mural Stage begins the blues at Bumbershoot on Friday, 8/29 with Daddy Treetops, followed by The Blues Orbiters, Doug Kearney, and the fabulous Duffy Bishop. Friday finishes with a soul-blues legend who swept the Handy & Grammy votes in his catagory this year, as well as topping my personal list of Favorite Live Shows of 2002, Solomon Burke, who also begins Saturday, 8/30 at the Mainstage followed by Macy Gray. After that Saturday is dedicated to the R&B Tribute at Memorial Stadium/Main Stage with a variety of artists involved. Saturday also features some blues life at the Mural Amphitheatre with Two Scoops Combo, Straight Shot, The Derek Trucks Band (who also just released a new album called “Soul Serenade”), Dusty 45s, finishing with Wanda Jackson wth the Donettes. Also on Saturday, The Electrifying Mighty Gospel Warriors open for The Blind Boys of Alabama at the stunning new McCaw Hall, and Ian Moore opens the Broadstreet Lawn. Sunday, 8/31 the Mural Blues Stage begins with the sure spark of Nicole Fournier & her 3-LB Universe, followed by Dave Samson’s “Nothin’ But The Blues” showcase with Henry Cooper, Mark Riley, Tim Sherman, & more, then Little George Sueref with Lazy Lester (see headlines), also Detroit’s blues Queen Alberta Adams, and finally a blues fan’s favorite on harmonica, vocals and grins, Charlie Musselwhite. Monday, 9/1 begins the last day at the Blues Stage with The Alice Stuart Band, then launches right into this year’s Handy winner for Best Band Magic Slim & The Teardrops, plus from New York Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, harmonica master Paul deLay and his band, and 21st century blues woman Shemekia Copeland wraps up the blues for the weekend. Also look for some groovy B-3 work from Sugarman 3 at the NW Court stage on Monday. Throughout the weekend you’ll see repeated shows from Reggie Miles, Eagle Park Slim, Baby Gramps and others on the Fountain Lawn. See times in the calendar.

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