preview / By Bob Doran

Blues Hues

Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers (11:50) rock you into the noon hour with Rod blowing Chicago-style harp and his wife Honey on the keys. Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps (1:10) has Houston-born Teresa out front on keyboards backed by a strong band. 

L.A.-based guitarist Walter Trout (2:30) honed his chops playing with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers then went solo at the end of the ’80s with his own rootsy take on blues fusion.

San Francisco’s Tommy Castro Band (3:50) returns to BbtB for the umpteenth time. Castro totally dominated this year’s Blues Music Awards, taking home honors for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for his latest, Hard Believer, along with Band of the Year, Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year and BB King Entertainer of the Year. He is indeed a helluva entertainer.

Last (starting 5:25, ending at 7) but far from least is the legendary Texas blues of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Harmonica master Kim Wilson founded the band in 1976 with guitarist Jimmie Vaughn. Wilson’s the constant here, working with a long string of stellar guitar players — currently Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller trade licks, laying down smokin’ R&B and serious blues.

You come for the music, but you’ll also find some fine barbecue and other food, your favorite brews, wine and cocktails, arts and crafts, and most important, your favorite people, friends you may only see once a year — you know, blues people.

The 14th Annual Blues by the Bay runs Saturday, Sept. 4 and Sunday, Sept. 5 at Halvorsen Park at the foot of L St. on the Eureka waterfront. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $45 for single days, $85 for a two-day pass at the gate, $80 in advance, kids 12 and under free. For more information go to www.bluesbythebay.org or call Redwood Coast Music Festivals at 445-3378.

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