9th Annual Hayward - Russell City Blues Festival 777 "B" Street Hayward, CA 510-836-2227 or 707-647-3962 From Mississippi to Russell City July 12 & 13, 2008 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Zac Harmon; Vasti Jackson; Homemade Jamz featuring Ryan, Kyle & Taya Perry; Texas Johnny Brown; John Primer; Johnny Rawls; B.B. King Tribute featuring Billy "Big Daddy" Cade ; Bill Howl n Madd Perry; Terry "Big T" Williams; Mississippi Bo; Zollie Polk; Russell City Memorial Blues Band; Caravan of Allstars; Stars of Glory; Harmonica Blues Explosion featuring: Zollie Polk; Wingnut Adams, & Birdlegg Press Release Purchase Tickets Here Hampton Inn Hayward - Official Hotel Sponsor Call for Special Festival Rates FREE FESTIVAL TICKETS INCLUDED WITH ROOM |
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Graphics by James Gayles
THE HISTORY OF RUSSELL CITY The Bay Area Blues Society will bring the Blues of Russell City back to the public in the form of a festival, lectures and archival musical showings. This is a historical event. This little town of African- American's who migrated here from the deep south was one of the proving grounds for many blues musicians. Russell City, an unincorporated area of Hayward, California is about 12 minutes from the City of Oakland. This community of modest houses and small farms along the bay is now gone. During it's heyday, Russell City was a down home community, known for it's clubs with dirt floors, bootleg electricity and a steady stream of musicians playing a style of Delta Blues. During the early part of their careers, artists such as Big Joe Turner and Big Mama Thorton played Texas, Arkansas and Lousiana style blues in Russell City. West Coast Blues music eventually influenced the traditional sound when horns replaced the harmonica and West Coast Blues was born. Russell City is a landmark on the map of American's contributions to world culture giving Hayward a unique musical leg reflecting the African- American experience. We are pleased to bring those sounds back through the Hayward- Russell City Blues Festival. The Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival celebrates the rich history, musical and cultural art form found in Russell City and Hayward during the post war years from the 1940's thru the 1960's. |