The 26th Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival COMPLETE LINEUP! | June 23rd & 24th, 2012

    Attendees step into the party atmosphere of New Orleans and Louisiana with two stages of music featuring blues, zydeco and Cajun music, continuous dancing on a large covered wooden dance floor,  free quick and easy dance instruction for all ages, a Mardi Gras parade led each day by the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band, and a colorful French Quarter marketplace featuring gumbo, crawfish etoufee, hush puppies, red beans and rice and other Cajun & Creole delicacies.  Crawfish and watermelon eating contests add to the fun.  An event known to have something for the whole family, extensive children’s activities include creating costumes for the mardi gras parade in the Kids’ Bayou Tent which also offers free arts and crafts, storytelling, magic, sing-a-longs, kids’ shows and more.   In addition the Teen Corner has games and activities for older kids.  

   Heating up the stage this year will be blues masters Zac Harmon and Guitar Shorty.  Upon returning to his blues roots in 2002, Zac Harmon, who had previously crafted songs for the likes of the O’Jays, Whispers and Karyn Hill, was subsequently voted “Best New Blues Artist” by XM Satellite Radio listeners, won a Blues Music Award for “Best New Artist Debut” and was dubbed one of the 10 artists that “represent the future of the blues” by Blues Revue Magazine.  Credited with influencing both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, legendary guitarist/vocalist, Guitar Shorty, has been electrifying audiences for five decades with his supercharged live shows and blistering recordings.  From the ages of 16 – 19, he worked with Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and Willie Dixon and went on to become a giant in the blues world.  His own very first album won a WC Handy Blues Award right out of the gate.

   Also not to be missed is Jimbo Ross & His Bodacious Blues Band.  Jimbo is as eclectic as the bands he has played with over the years: Moody Blues, Pete Townsend, Bob Dylan, Johnny Mathis, Roy Orbison, Elton John and Led Zeppelin to name a few.  He sings with committed soulful blues passion and plays electric viola with blazing virtuosic fire, transporting listeners with him into blues bliss.  Then there’s Barbara Morrison, with her two and a half octave range, who has been blazing a trail as a jazz and blues legend around the world performing her rich, unique and soulful interpretations of jazz and blues classics as well as original contemporary tunes.

    The Oreo Divas with their sizzling Motown Tribute, and extraordinary R&B/jazz/blues/gospel vocalist, Sherry Pruitt add to the incredible talent.  The blues contingent is rounded out with the West coast soulful blues style of the Sonny Green Blues Band, award winning blues vocalist, Artwork Jamal, the scorching southern blues of the Bill Magee Blues Band, and the Los Angeles Music Award winning Shari Puorto Band, which has been said to “tear it up” and “go for the jugular” to standing ovations.  

   The dance floor will be filled at the Zydeco Stage.  Blending zydeco with R&B, rock, jazz, blues, country and gospel, Chris Ardoin & NuStep have been bringing the traditional form of zydeco into a contemporary music format around the world to places like London, Sweden, Amsterdam, Jamaica, Mexico, and even Japan.   They will be joined by winner of 15 Zydeco Music Awards, J Paul Jr & the Zydeco Nubreeds; the Southwest Louisiana-style zydeco band, Li’l Wayne & Same Ol 2-Step;  the always popular Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie; Theo & the Zydeco Patrol, Bonne Musique Zydeco and Benny & the Swamp Gators.  Cajun music will be  featured by the best in Cajun music today:  acclaimed group, Joel Savoy, Jesse Legé & Cajun Country Revival and Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, who push the limit while remaining true to their heritage.   See below for artist listing by day.

Long Beach Bayou Festival, June 23-24, 2012
Rainbow Lagoon Park, (at Linden Ave & Shoreline Dr), Long Beach, CA
Sat:  11 am -­ 9:30 pm, Sun:  11 am – 8:30 pm  
Ticket purchase and Info:  www.longbeachbayoufest.com, (562) 424-0013   
Tickets: Adults: $25/advance, $30/gate;   Seniors (60+) and Students (18+): $20/advance, $30 at the gate;  
Students (ages 13-17): $10,   Children 12 & under:  free
VIP ticket:  $65, includes backstage access, seating, 1 meal and 2 drinks.  

 
SAT, JUNE 23

Barbara Morrison
Chris Ardoin & NuStep
Jimbo Ross & His Bodacious Blues Band
J Paul Jr & the Zydeco Nubreeds
Sherry Pruitt
Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys
Artwork Jamal
Bonne Musique Zydeco
Bennie & the Swamp Gators
The Oreo Divas (Motown Tribute)
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band

      SUN, JUNE 24

Zac Harmon Band
Guitar Shorty
Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie
Chris Ardoin & Nustep
Sonny Green Blues Band
Joel Savoy, Jesse Lege & Cajun Country Revival
Li’l Wayne & Same Ol 2-Step
Bill Magee Blues Band
Theo & the Zydeco Patrol
The Shari Puorto Band
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band
 
                            
   Rainbow Lagoon Park is located on the Northside of Shoreline Drive, between Shoreline Village Drive and Linden Avenue.  Parking is available on the Marina Green Lot across from Rainbow Lagoon Park.  Long Beach Hilton Hotel, located at 701 W Ocean Blvd in Long Beach, is offering special room rates.   Call the hotel at (562) 983-3400, and ask for the Bayou Festival rate, to book a room at $144.
 
   The event is presented by Rainbow Promotions, LLC, (producers of the annual Long Beach Jazz Festival).  A portion of the profits will benefit LALA (Louisiana to Los Angeles), a non-profit organization which raises educational funds for local youth to attend college.