City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, Northern Ireland, 2002
The City Of Derry Jazz And Big Band Festival is a jazz festival held annually during the May Bank Holiday weekend in Derry, Northern Ireland. It started in 2002 and is funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council, Guinness and the Department for Communities and is supported by BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Radio Ulster. It also features some blues and is one of the leading annual music events in Ireland.
Dark Season Blues, Longyearbyen, Norway, 2003
Head to Svalbard in October and experience Dark Season Blues - the world's northernmost blues festival.
The festival takes place at the time of year when the blues is at its best; the beginning of the dark season, during the blue hour. The blues festival is held annually in October.
During the weekend closest to October 26th, the town is filled with warm blues rhythms from around 15 Norwegian and international bands. Concerts are held in intimate venues such as pubs, the historic Huset, Mine 3, and the church. The program includes blues lunches, three-course dinners, and children’s concerts. The festival is renowned for its unique atmosphere, where artists, audiences, and locals connect closely.
Santa Maria Blues, Santa Maria Island, Portugal, 2004
The Santa Maria Blues Festival is held annually in the beautiful Santa Maria island in the Azores.
In July the stage is shared by international and local artists.
The Portugese organization is always perfect despite the fact that the festival takes place far out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Callander Jazz and Blues Festival, Callander, Scotland, 2006
The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival is the largest rural Jazz & Blues festival in Scotland. First held back in 2006, the festival has grown every year, with this years event featuring 75 gigs across 12 venues, performing live jazz, blues, swing & rock over 4 days. From solo artists to big bands, over 175 musicians ensure a long weekend in October of great music in the autumn splendour of the Trossachs.
Brunner Blues Festival / Bluesfest, Brunn am Gebirge, Austria, 2007
The International Brunner New Orleans Blues & Boogie Festival was held for the first time in 2007 in Brunn am Gebirge, near the Austrian capital Vienna.
Since then, artistic directors Michael Pewny and Axel Ramerseder have attracted many renowned top artists to Brunn every year, performing both indoors and outdoors from Friday to Sunday in mid-June.
Suwalki Blues Festival / Bluesfest, Poland, 2007
Suwałki Blues Festival is a three days festival in July 11 to 13 in Suwalki, Poland. There are outdoor concerts on main stages at the Town Hall and in Konstytucji, Maja Park and on M. Konopnicka Square. Acoustic street concerts on Chłodna Street, blues breakfasts, ticketed evening club concerts, a motorcycle parade and a concert on a mobile platform, and concerts as part of the Polish Blues Challenge.
Admission to all outdoor events is free.
