SATURDAY, October 8 | 11AM-2PM
Big Daddy D and Dynamites
Big Daddy D and Dynamites, features 2020 Memphis IBC Semifinalist, and 2022 Memphis IBC Finalist Runner Up, Darryl Porras on guitar and vocals. Big Daddy’s guitar work is a combination of old and new styles and guaranteed to grab your ear. Betty Jo Vachon, on vocals, delivers Blues to the audience with power and finesse like no other. She is hailed by fans as a “Passionate…Powerful… and Soulful vocalist that connects with people.” Rounding out the band is Heritage Blues Hall of Fame Inductee and a 2017 Memphis IBC Semifinalist Dr. Bob Sellani, behind the drum kit. The band also features Rick Mutter on keys, a 2020 IBC Semifinalist, and 2022 Memphis IBC Finalist Runner Up. And finally, rock steady and longtime bassist in the band, Scott Jeffy. This powerhouse band plays extensively throughout Arizona at notable venues and festivals, including The Colorado River Blues Festival, Flagstaff Blues and Brews, Glendale Blues and Jazz Festival, The Phoenix Blues Society’s Annual Blues Blast, The 2nd Annual Prescott Blues Festival, The Arizona State Fair, and many local city events including The Camp Verde Pecan and Wine Festival, Sedona Red Dirt Concert Series, Clarkdale in the Park, Flagstaff Concert Series, and The Payson Outdoor Concert Series. For more information, please visit bigdaddydblues.com or Facebook, Big Daddy D and the Dynamites or Darryl Porras or Betty Jo Music.
SUNDAY, October 9th – 11AM-2PM
Steve Willis and Ray DeSylvester Duo
Steve Willis and Ray DeSylvester Duo features Flagstaff’s very own S.E. (Steve) Willis on keyboard, accordion, and vocals, along with Cottonwood’s Ray DeSylvester on harp and vocals, both AZ Blues Hall of Fame Inductees. Steve’s music is deeply rooted in traditional American forms: blues, boogie-woogie, country, rockabilly, gospel, and zydeco. A veteran band leader, Steve has taken a supporting role in bands with such artists as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Albert King, Jimmy Rogers, Roy Gaines, and, since 2000, Elvin Bishop (his accordion features prominently on the 2014 release “Can’t Even Do Wrong Right”). S.E.Willis sang tenor with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and appeared on their 1995 release “We’ve Come a Mighty Long Way.”He worked another three years with founding Meters’ member and New Orleans drumming legend Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, and plays piano on his solo release Zigaboo.com. S.E. Willis has released seven CDs of original and classic material: Airn Beats Nairn, 1999; Luckiest Man Alive, 2002; Cold Hand In Mine, 2003, Taproot, 2007; Pass the Hat, 2013; Turtle Dove Bounce/Live at the Poor House, 2015; Too Much Love (S.E.Willis and the Willing), 2019. For more information, please visit: https://sewillis.net/
In 2014, Ray DeSylvester represented NAZBA at the 2014 IBC in Memphis and also was a 3x finalist in the Phoenix Blues Society (PBS) International Blue Competition showdown. He was awarded best traditional Blues Act in 1999 by PBS. Also known as Sweet Baby Ray, he plays with various bands and fronts his band, Blue Smoke which plays high energy classic Blues, Funk, Rock, and R&B throughout central and Northern Arizona. Their performances include: Walkin’ On Main, Music in the Market, Spirit Room, Main Stage, Pecan – Wine Fest, Fort Verde Days, NAZBA Challenge, CV Corn Fest, The OTCA Blues Fest. For more information : https://sweetbabyraysbluesmoke.com/about-ray/