NEW YORK BLUES: The Beat Goes On- Blues BBQ- part 1

Posted on 9/05/2009 by Nelson Onofre

What's up my fellow blues lovers! Happy Labor Day. Aside from my normal Sunday post I am also posting some photos today. All the photos are from the Hudson River Park’s annual Blues BBQ Festival which took place on Aug. 23 in New York. Turns out this was the 10th anniversary of the event but for some reason I had never heard about it. A buddy of mine sent me an e-mail and that's how I found out about it this year. From what I saw it looks I have been missing quite a bit because it was a blast. Five bands in all, lots of good music. I'm already looking forward to next year's event.

It was another hot summer day and while there was a chance of rain, and it actually did rain a bit, the turnout was very good. The smell of barbeque was in the air as food vendors whipped up some specialties to go along with cold beers for those that chose to drink. The festivities kicked off right around 2pm with Eden Brent being first up. Eden is new to me but I enjoyed her set. She accompanied herself on electric piano and her Delta boogie woogie got the crowd rockin'. I can ony imagine what she sounds like with a full band. What a great way to kick things off.

Next up was another band new to me, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, and they were quite interesting. Check out these ages, Ryan Perry on guitar and vocals is just 17, brother Kyle Perry on bass and backup vocals is just 15 and drummer Taya Perry is all of 10! Their dad was onstage with them on the harmonica. He gave the kids plenty of room to jam and have fun. If you
look at the photos you'll see some unusual looking guitars. Turns out those are homemade instruments and quite unique at that.

These young kids sounded quite good and as they mature musically they should do quite well for themselves. Kudos to 10 year old drummer Taya for holding it down and keeping up with her brothers. So nice to see young kids like this playing blues. Oh yeah, they are the youngest blues band to sign with a major record label (Northern Blues Music). Not too shabby!

My last photos for today are of Diunna Greenleaf. Out of the five bands I enjoyed her set the most. She worked the stage and crowd like a seasoned performer. The songs were great and the band was tight. I was really impressed with guitarist Jonn DelToro. Crisp and tasteful playing from Jonn. It actually rained a bit during Diunna's set but that didn't stop her or the band from kickin' out the jams. Good stuff all around.

Well, that covers today's photos, tomorrow I'll have photos of Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater and Michael Burks.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Ian Kaley for getting me on the Press list so I could do my thing. From what I saw the whole event went smoothly. I definitely will return next year. And of course I want to thank my fellow music fanatic, Benny Rodriguez, for turning me on to this great event. If any of you happen to be in New York next summer keep an eye out for this event. Any time you can get this kind of entertainment in New York for free you have to take advantage.

Until the next go-round, keep supporting the Blues. These cats are working hard to lay it down for you.

Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
my websites: http://www.electriceyes.us/
http://electriceyesphotography.blogspot.com/

Diunna Greenleaf
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
http://www.diunna.com/home.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
© 2009 Copyright

Diunna Greenleaf Band
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
http://www.diunna.com/home.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
© 2009 Copyright

Jonn DelToro of Diunna Greenleaf Band
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
http://www.diunna.com/home.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
© 2009 Copyright

Diunna Greenleaf Band
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
http://www.diunna.com/home.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre
© 2009 Copyright

Homemade Jamz Blues Band
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
www.hmjamzbluesband.com
http://www.myspace.com/homemadejamzbluesband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Kyle Perry of Homemade Jamz Blues Band
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
www.hmjamzbluesband.com
http://www.myspace.com/homemadejamzbluesband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Ryan Perry of Homemade Jamz Blues Band
Hudson River Park Blues BBQ, Aug. 2009
www.hmjamzbluesband.com
http://www.myspace.com/homemadejamzbluesband
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

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NEW YORK BLUES: The Beat Goes On- Blues BBQ- part 1

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