'South Orange International Blues' Debuts

A big blues locomotive called The South Orange International Blues Festival (SOIBF) is roaring into South Orange village this Sunday, September 12. Long-time South Orange resident, blues bassist and producer Mike Griot is the engineer. Johnny Ciao, "The Culinary Rocker," will be your conductor.

This is one train you don't want to miss. And you don't have to hop a box car to ride these rails: the whole event is free.

All you need to do is bring a chair or blanket. You can "put on your red dress, baby," but leave the high heeled sneakers at home. This is a multi-site festival.

The music starts at 11 a.m. at both "Blues Alley"—Spiotta Park at South Orange Avenue and Village Plaza—and at Cameron Field Park across from 5 Mead Street.

Spiotta Park shows run until 2 p.m.; Cameron Field's until 4. The official welcome is at noon at the main stage at Floods Hill, Mead St. and Meadowbrook Lane, where music and  dance from Pieces of a Dream Dance Theatre run from 1 to 8 p.m.

Also, as befits the history of the blues, street musicians will perform both downtown and along River Walk from South Orange Avenue to Floods Hill.

Producer Griot, who is now based in Tampa, FL but maintains his PWI Entertainment office and a residence here, helped establish the non-profit North Jersey Blues Alliance to bring a festival to South Orange and further music education programs in the schools. Earlier this summer, the Essex County Board of Freeholders issued a proclamation sanctioning the event. 

Griot tours internationally as bassist for the Michael Hill Blues Mob, which performs at 4 p.m. at Floods Hill. This past June, the band gave a scorching preview concert of their urban blues at Spiotta Park.

"I was gone a lot and I'd come home and noticed the cuteness of South Orange seemed to suit a festival concept," Griot explained. "It looked like some of the places I'd been, so why not have one of these great experiences I take for granted and bring it home."

Griot's vision was to bring in both the best of traditional blues and groups encompassing the spectrum of blues based music. 

Expect to hear a lot of rockabilly, funk, soul, pop, rock and jazz influences along with 12-bar blues.

The powerhouse lineup includes internationally acclaimed acts as well as groups from closer to home, including bluesman Dean Shot, presented by Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange where Shot takes the bandstand most Thursday nights.

Earlier this summer, Cecil's hosted the SOIBF adult competition for berths. Winner Shari Pine and finalist The Suffering Blues Band will perform in Blues Alley.

Noted West Orange based jazz guitarist Dave Stryker will take the main stage at 3 p.m. with his Blue to the Bone Band. Stryker has played with jazz-blues great tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and Hammond B3 organ master Jack McDuff.

"I'm bringing in my original music, music inspired by B.B. King, Albert King. I enjoy occasionally going more to the blues side of my playing," Stryker said.

"I'm debuting a new version of the band," Stryker continued. "I'm bringing in incredible younger cats. There's a lot of energy."

Other headliners include Colin John and Jonathan Fritz, Michael Power Frequency, an All Star Jam with special guest Laura Chavez. Griot is musical host from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. The Reddan Brothers Band wrap things up.