Schedule
Cody Martin
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
101 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall
115 North Willow St.
Kent, OH 44240
Cody J. Martin writes songs that rest where folk, blues and country music intersect. The Massillon, Ohio native has been performing his aggressive, fingerpicked tunes for nearly 5 years in both his home state and across the country. He is currently recording the follow up to his debut album, 2014’s…
Tom Evanchuck
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
157 Lounge
157 S. Water Street
Kent, Ohio 44240
Tom Evanchuck is a storyteller on stage, weaving through tales of love and heartbreak, friendship and the allure of the Midwest. But this is also a musician that seems born from another era. Drawing on the influences of the likes of Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Neil Young and even the…
Backstreet Blues Band
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Acorn Alley / Acorn Plaza
138 E Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band has been rocking packed houses all over town with their hot brand of hard-driving, house-rockin’ blues. The quartet met at Cleveland Blues Society jams and knew they had something special. Up front are Backstreet Brantt Hamilton’ searing harmonica and Jimmy Lee’s rocking blues guitar. Adriane Bennett…
The R&D Duo
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Acorn Alley / Acorn Plaza
138 E Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
Richard “Poppo” Weiner and Doug Bender are a guitar and bass combo who formed the R & D Duo in 2017. The R & D Duo performs primarily traditional and popular American acoustic blues, but they can touch in on a variety of genres to play a wide range of…
Guy Pernetti and Friends
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Barflyy
100 E Erie St.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Guy Pernetti is a solo contemporary American guitarist and singer-songwriter with a rich history. He has earned a reputation for his clean and beautiful guitar work, along with exciting compositions and unique vocal interpretations. A seasoned multi-instrumentalist, Pernetti is known for his wide variety of styles, and his expertise on…
BC Hudson & Sonny Leach
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurant
135 East Erie Street
Suite 202
Kent, OH 44240
Ten years ago, BC & Sonny met at a jam night in Cleveland. From there they went on to become part of the Skip Werke Band playing honky tonk blues and blues rock. BC has played in the Kent Blues Fest for five years, first with the 9 Volt Hot…
Memphis Cradle
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Bell Tower Brewing Co.
310 Park Ave
Kent, Ohio 44240
Memphis Cradle has always been about the blues. Whether you like your blues hard and hot or soft and cool, Memphis Cradle’s versatility allows the listeners to enjoy all aspects of the genre with both their original compositions and covers.
Wallace Coleman
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Brewhouse Pub
244 N. Water St.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Robert Jr. Lockwood said he would never hire a harmonica player, but then he heard Wallace Coleman play. That about says it all.
Austin Walkin’ Cane
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Bricco
210 South Depeyster Street
Kent, OH 44240
Veteran Northeast Ohio performer Austin Walkin’ Cane calls his music “Damn Fine Blues.” He plays original and classic Blues featuring his superb slide guitar and soulful vocals. Cane offers a Blues gumbo repertoire that can conjure up the ghosts of Highway 61 and the Delta blues experience. He has toured…
The Jon Mosey Trio
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Buffalo Wild Wings
176 E Main St
Kent, OH 44240
The Jon Mosey Trio is an all-star original blues/rock band featuring: Jon Mosey, Toussaint “Tb Player” English, and Erik Diaz. Lahdy, lahdy!
Erin Nicole Neal & The Chill Factors
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Dan Smith Park Stage
E Erie St.
Kent, OH 44240
Eclectic Cleveland band Erin Nicole Neal & The Chill Factors explore Blues, Rock, Pop, Soul, Jazz, Funk, R&B, Gospel, and Reggae. The group, formed in 2015, plays all over Northeast Ohio for private and public events. They play a mix of originals and covers by artists such as Aretha Franklin,…
The Greasy Boys
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dan Smith Park Stage
E Erie St.
Kent, OH 44240
The Greasy Boys play blues. Raw, and real.
E.T. King & The Determination
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dominick’s Pub
147 Franklin Ave
Kent, Ohio 44240
E.T. King & The Determination has been providing Northeast Ohio with the authentic sounds of Motown, R&B, blues, funk and more for over 25 years! Members: E.T. King – Vocals/Keys Luke Pernici – Guitar Dave McNary – Bass Rob Warth – Drums
Clapton Tribute: Evolution
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hometown Bank Plaza
203 N Water St
Kent, Ohio 44240
EVOLUTION features hits from The Yardbirds, The Blues Breakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominos, and Eric Clapton’s solo career. Chris Wintrip – guitar/vocals: Professional guitarist, vocalist, recording artist, and producer. Mr. Wintrip has enjoyed a successful music career performing with Joe Walsh, Frampton’s Camel, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Roger McGuinn,…
Ben Gage
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Kent State Hotel & Conference Center
215 S Depeyster St,
Kent, OH 44240
Ben Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio, spread out in the countryside along the great Lake Erie. His roots run deep alongside the hard working blue collars that Ohio has to boast. That tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be seen…
Blues Open Mic
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Last Exit Books and Cafe
124 E Main St, Ste 1
Kent, Ohio 44240
Got a song to sing? A tune to play? It it’s blues, be there! Hosted by Jackson Boling.
Dale Galgozy
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Last Exit Books and Cafe
124 E Main St, Ste 1
Kent, Ohio 44240
Dale Galgozy writes the blues; his guitar swings, and his songs are shrouded in understated humor. Dale is a published songwriter, a studio musician, and a teacher.
Ty’s Tunes
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Laziza
195 East Erie Street
Kent, OH 44240
Tyrone Hornbuckle has been playing on stage since he was 13 years old. He plays Classic Rock, Blues, Southern Rock and Originals.
Little Steve-O Blues Duo
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
North Water Brewing Co.
101 Crain Ave.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Little Steve-O (Steven V. Fine) is a blues vocalist and songwriter who excels plays harmonica and acoustic guitar. His award-winning Blues Duo “Bongo Joe & Little Steve-O,” made it to the International Blues competition in Memphis, securing a number of top honors. Steve-O performs four to five nights a week…
Becky Boyd & Chris Hanna
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
North Water Brewing Co.
101 Crain Ave.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Becky Boyd has been playing the Cleveland club scene for more than 40 years. Her outstanding vocals combine great tone, and tremendous feel. Boyd has opened for such acclaimed artists as The Outlaws, Brownsville Station, Marshall Tucker Band, Fairport Convention, Buddy Miles, Robert Lockwood Jr., and Todd Rundgren. Boyd was…
Frankie Starr feat. Natalie Stamper
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
North Water Brewing Co.
101 Crain Ave.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Stamper Starr is a Cleveland based music duo that brings you traditional blues with a fresh twist. Natalie and Frankie met in 2018 at a jam night. Since then, they have brought us their unique approach to blues and other styles. Combining Natalie’s powerhouse vocals, Frankie’s commanding guitar style, with…
The Alan Greene Band
9:30 pm - 12:30 am
Panini’s Bar & Grill
295 S Water Street
Kent, Ohio 44240
Cleveland-based guitarist Alan Greene is a veteran of the Northeast Ohio Blues who has entertained audiences for decades. He has played with major artists including Humble Pie, Michael Stanley, Donnie Iris, and Pere Ubu. Greene’s favorite local artists include the James Gang, the late Glenn Schwartz (a Kent Blues Fest veteran), Mr. Stress Blues Band,…
Cleveland Fats
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Pub
401 Franklin Avenue,
Kent, OH 44240
Liz Bullock
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
The Pub
401 Franklin Avenue,
Kent, OH 44240
Formed in 2017, Liz Bullock and The Tremonts is a Cleveland-based band that covers a range of genres with the bulk of their material being Blues and Soul based. One of the youngest additions to Cleveland’s Blues scene, this group plays classics from Etta James to Thundercat. Old and new…
Bob Frank Blues
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Pub
401 Franklin Avenue,
Kent, OH 44240
A lifelong resident of Cleveland, Bob spent eighteen years as the leader of the Hotfoot Quartet, touring throughout North America and recording several albums. As a sideman he has worked with Robert Lockwood, Wallace Coleman, fiddler Howard Armstrong, the Falls City Ramblers, and British bluesman Long John Baldry. Bob has…
Blackcat Roberts
9:00 pm - 12:00 am
Rays Place
135 Franklin Ave.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Making their debut at the Kent Blues Fest, Blackcat Roberts keeps their promise to audiences simple: “Stone cold blues – straight outta Cleveland!”
Mike Lenz
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Taco Tanto’s
123 Franklin Avenue
Kent, OH 44240
Mike Lenz performs solo on guitar, vocals, harmonica, and amplified stompbox. He is influenced by everything from Delta and Piedmont blues artists such as Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller to Jug Band stomps and rags of the 20’s and 30’s to classic 50’s and…
15-60-75 (The Numbers Band)
8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Venice Cafe
163 W. Erie St.
Kent, Ohio 44240
15-60-75 can’t be defined or categorized. Robert Kidney explains: “The music industry, the media, and the ‘tellsusourvision’ (TV) are defining for the American public what is good music by only playing and supporting what is profitable. We are taught to disregard everything that is not familiar. We give the people…
Apostle Jones
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Water Street Tavern
132 S. Water St.
Kent, OHIO 44240
“Formed in late 2018, the eclectic band has spent the last few years setting stages ablaze, thanks to an energetic live show rooted in soul- and blues-in-fused rock’n’roll sounds.” – Cleveland Magazine
Jen Maurer
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Water Street Tavern
132 S. Water St.
Kent, OHIO 44240
Jen Maurer and Bill Lestock have been favorites in the Northeast Ohio music scene for decades. Both play in the high-energy group, Mo’ Mojo. Maurer is known for her passionate vocals, accordion and guitar playing, and infectious spirit. Lestock is play lead fiddle and mandolin. The two are masters at…
The Zydeco Kings Duo
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Water Street Tavern
132 S. Water St.
Kent, OHIO 44240
The Zydeco Kings are a spicy mixture of old school rhythm & blues infused with the spirit of New Orleans. The duo will be Kevin Okey on guitar & Bob Corlett on keys. They’ll be steeped in gumbo boogie woogie, with a dash of Caribbean soul.
Armstrong Bearcat
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Water Street Tavern
132 S. Water St.
Kent, OHIO 44240
Once you experience the searing brand of hard-driving, in-your-face classic rock and blues of Armstrong Bearcat, you will understand their demand. Scene Magazine describes Armstrong Bearcat this way: “With half the musicians but more than twice the talent of the Marshall Tucker Band, The Armstrong Bearcat Band wasted no time…
The Bluestones
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Water Street Tavern
132 S. Water St.
Kent, OHIO 44240
Inspired by a dream, the Bluestones were founded over twenty years ago by Jim Fox. Jim continues to manage and lead the band as a vocalist and guitarist. The coining of the name Bluestones came from the combined influences of the Blues Brothers and the Rolling Stones. We are serious…
Jarred Goldweber and The Park Brothers
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Zephyr Pub
106 W Main St.
Kent, Ohio 44240
These talented and seasoned musicians deliver a show for a new generation. Finalists for best band in the Hot list, they are members of the Chicago, Cleveland, Northeast Ohio and Memphis Blues Societies. They tour extensively along the Blues Highway from Cleveland to the Mississippi Delta, as well as Chicago,…
Taylor Lamborn
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Zephyr Pub
106 W Main St.
Kent, Ohio 44240
Taylor Lamborn credits her sound to years spent immersing herself in Cleveland’s diverse music scene. Lamborn didn’t begin performing her original material until she was in her twenties, but since then she has been it’s been no looking back. She has released a number of albums and live singles, toured internationally, and…