Breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop set the scene for the country’s oldest ongoing blues festival.  For 36 straight years, the Annual San Francisco Blues Festival has graced the green at Fort Mason’s Great Meadow with views of the bay, the bridge and the awesome blues performances of all-star legendary performers.  The San Francisco Blues Festival was the winner of the 2006 National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Academy honors for its contributions to the music industry.

The opening day this year was September 26.  From noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Justin Herman Plaza, across from the Ferry Building, there was a fabulous tribute to John Lee Hooker.  In the lineup were the Coast to Coast Blues Band with Deacon Jones, Ron Kirch, Ron Perry, Lizz Fischer and Bryant Mills.  Special guests included Zakiya Hooker, Kathi McDonald and Archie Lee Hooker.  John Lee Hooker, who influenced many musicians over the years, was one of the greatest figures in the history of blues.  He recorded over 75 albums during his lifetime career.  A Mississippi native, born in 1920, he was 28 in 1948 when he had his first million selling hit, “Boogie Chillen.”  This piece put forth his one-chord, electric guitar sound that eventually took the world by storm.  Its repetitious, and enveloping monophonic sound defined his charisma.  Les Paul, who invented the electric guitar, made John Lee Hooker’s music possible to play in a wailing fugue.  In the late 1970’s, Hooker moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he remained until he passed away in 2001, silencing that momentous talent.   The opening day was free to the public attendees.

Friday, September 26, also was the opening run of The Blues Film at the Roxie Theatre on Valencia.  It featured John Lee Hooker’s, “Come See About Me.”  Interwoven in this documentary were performances of Hooker’s at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, and the American Folk Blues Festival of 1965, which was held in Europe.  Performing with Hooker were some of the greats and devout followers of Hooker: The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Paul Butterfield, Carlos Santana, Foghat and more who took the stage to jam with the legend.  This was a great compilation of John Lee Hooker’s performances.  What a thrill it was to watch Hooker in motion once again!

It’s Saturday, September 27^th.  Place:  The Great Meadow at Fort Mason.  Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The performers lineup included Hot Tuna –and their phenomenal acoustic blues.  Also appearing were The Delta Groove All Star Blues Revue which included Elvin Bishop, Mike Zito, the Incredible Mannish Boys (Finis Tasby, Bobby Jones, Kid Ramos, Frank ‘Paris Slim’ Goldwasser, Eli Kirk Fletcher, Randy Chortkoff, Richard Innes and Ronnie James Webber) – this was totally sensational – blues at its best!  In the spotlight were Barbara Lynn, Michael Burks, Elmore James, Jr. (Southside Chicago slide), and the Delta Wires Big Band Harmonica and Horn Blues (national blues recipients).

The final day – Sunday, September 27^th – rounding out and up a world renowned festival was the ultimate, one and only, Johnny Winter!  Zydeco fans had the pleasure of listening to Buckwheat Zydeco (the Louisiana king of accordion blues), Denise La Salle, Curtis Salgado Big Band, David Honeyboy Edwards, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, and the hand clapping music of the Gospel Hummingbirds.

Late September is a great time of the year to visit the city by the bay, San Francisco, California.   The climate is clear, crisp, and friendly.  A change from wherever you have spent the summer is due, and the chance to hear the best of the blues makes it all worthwhile…Give me a B flat, no…wait until I tune up – this festival is done in the key of “A sharp!”