To celebrate two decades as one of the Southeast’s premier music festivals, the 20th Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival (October 12-13) presents blues legend Buddy Guy, an American blues guitarist and singer credited with bridging the genres of blues and rock and roll.
With a career that spans more than 55 years, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy is a critically acclaimed pioneer of the Chicago blues sound. Ranked 30th among Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” Guy’s music has influenced notable musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In the 1960s he was a member of the Muddy Waters Band and a session guitarist at Chess Records. In the late 1960s he signed with Vanguard Records, but it was not until the 1990s, after an appearance with Eric Clapton at London’s Royal Albert Hall, that he released a string of albums with the Silvertone label that catapulted him to music super-stardom. At age 77, Guy is still recording and touring. The Grammy Award-winning artist’s most recent album “Rhythm & Blues” is an ambitious, guest star-laden double album that continues to receive rave reviews following its summer 2013 release. A busy touring schedule brings blues legend Buddy Guy to the Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival.
Set against a scenic backdrop of the Cape Fear River, the relaxed riverfront setting is ideal for enjoying a weekend of great jazz, blues and seafood. It’s a world where the weather is warmer, the people are friendlier, the food is tastier, and the music is “blue-sier”. In addition to headliner Buddy Guy, the two-day Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival (October 12-13) features 13 other musical acts, including national and regional blues bands such as: Wet Wille; The Slide Brothers; Randall Bramblett; Big Bump & the Stun Gunz; Justin Fox Trio; The Bobby Paltauf Experience; and Fatty Lumpkin and the Love Hog. Jazz bands include: BLP’s Touch of Jazz; The FROG Project; Will McBride Group; Lee Venters & Vermillion Sands; Freeport; and Charlie & Rose Lucas. A full performance schedule is available online at www.pleasureislandnc.org. While grooving to live music, attendees can also enjoy a wine tasting and savory seafood prepared by area restaurants. The Crafters Village will host arts and crafts vendors and the free Kidz Zone features Wilder West Magic Showdown, The Mr. Mark Show, face painting, and more.
If your idea of the perfect fall weekend getaway includes great blues, jazz, and seafood on a beautiful barrier island, then make plans to attend this year’s Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festivalpresented by Bryant Real Estate and the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. On October 12-13, blues legend Buddy Guy will headline at the 20th Annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, near Kure Beach. Two-day tickets are $40 in advance. If purchased at the gate Saturday only tickets are $50; Sunday only tickets are $15. Tickets are available for purchase at the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce office located at 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the music begins at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Pets, coolers, videos/cameras and political materials are not permitted. The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is located along Hwy. 421 South in Kure Beach. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 910-458-8434. Tickets are also available for purchase online through www.eventbrite.com and www.pleasureislandnc.org/seafood-blues-and-jazz-festival.
