Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
701 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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Making the scene since 2006!
The inaugural North Central Florida Blues Festival will make its debut on Saturday, September 19, 2026, bringing an all-day celebration of Blues music to Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville.
Presented jointly by the North Central Florida Blues Society (NCFBS) and Heartwood Soundstage, the festival marks a significant milestone for North Central Florida's live music community. Organizers intend for the event to become an annual tradition that celebrates the region's long connection to Blues music while attracting visitors from throughout Florida and beyond.
Unlike many festivals that feature a single performance area, the North Central Florida Blues Festival will utilize two separate stages. Four performances will take place inside Heartwood Soundstage's acclaimed listening room while four additional acts perform on the outdoor stage, allowing audiences to enjoy nearly eight hours of live music.
Doors open at 2:00 p.m., music begins at 3:00 p.m., and performances continue through approximately 10:45 p.m.
The festival presents an impressive blend of nationally recognized performers alongside outstanding Florida Blues artists.
Eight-time Blues Music Award winner Doug MacLeod headlines the festival. A two-time 2026 Blues Music Award nominee for Acoustic Artist of the Year and Acoustic Album of the Year, MacLeod is internationally respected for his storytelling, soulful vocals, and masterful guitar work. His songs have been recorded by artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker, and Eva Cassidy.
Georgia-based singer, songwriter and guitarist E.G. Kight brings more than two decades of acclaimed roots music performances to Gainesville. Known for her distinctive Southern Blues style, Kight has earned 21 industry award nominations and has had songs recorded by Koko Taylor, Dorothy Moore, Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women, and Ann Rabson & Bob Margolin.
Florida guitarist Doug Deming, now based in Bradenton after beginning his career in Detroit, is widely recognized for his tasteful traditional Blues guitar playing and original songwriting. Leading The Jewel Tones, Deming combines influences from T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian, Luther Tucker, and Robert Jr. Lockwood while maintaining his own distinctive style.
Born Martha Booker in Sunflower, Mississippi, Sheba the Mississippi Queen spent part of her youth working agricultural fields in South Florida after moving with her family from Mississippi. Following years performing in New York and later Miami, she returned to her Blues roots, eventually forming Sheba the Mississippi Queen & the Bluesmen. The band reached the semifinals of the International Blues Challenge in 2019.
The Josh Miller Blues Revue is dedicated to authentic Chicago Blues traditions. Their performances pay tribute to the legendary artists who defined the genre while presenting the music with the spirit, energy, and respect that made Chicago Blues famous.
North Florida favorites JC & the Backscratchers perform classic Chicago-style Blues spanning the 1940s through today. Led by harmonica player JC "Chris" Balding, the band combines original music with selections associated with Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, James Harman, Gary Primich, and others.
Five-time Florida Harmonica Champion JW Gilmore has spent more than two decades entertaining audiences with traditional Blues, swing, and outstanding harmonica playing. Throughout his career he has shared stages with Tabby Thomas, Chris Thomas King, Louisiana Red, Todd Hart, and Joey Gilmore.
Drawing upon nearly three decades in academia, including twenty years at the University of Florida, Dr. Jules' Cool Blues combines historical appreciation of Blues music with traditional Blues performance. Their repertoire includes both classic Blues standards and original compositions performed with unmistakable Blues authenticity.
Both General Admission and VIP tickets are available.
VIP admission includes:
Because listening room seating is limited, VIP tickets are expected to sell first.
"For over 22 years, the North Central Florida Blues Society has presented more than a hundred concerts, showcases and special events," said NCFBS President Rob Richardson. "This is the first time we will present an all-day Blues festival. We expect this will be the beginning of an annual event for the community to enjoy while drawing music lovers to Gainesville and Alachua County."
Florida regional competitions in 2026 to determine contenders at the International Blues Challenge 2027, presented by The Blues Foundation, in Memphis, TN on January 19–23, 2027.
The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for blues bands and solo/duo performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. The world’s largest gathering of blues musicians takes place on Beale Street, with over 20 clubs hosting challengers and fans. In addition to the competition rounds, IBC week offers seminars, showcases, master classes, film screenings, networking events, book signings, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals. The list of 2026 International Blues Challenge Contenders (Bands, Solo-Duos, Youth) is posted HERE.
In 2006, the Joey Gilmore Band won the Best Band prize at the IBC.
1991 The Roach Thompson Band Miami, Florida
1992 Piano Bob & the Snowman (Robert Wilder & Ken Minahan) Miami, Florida
2006 Joey Gilmore Band
2009 J.P. Soars and the Red Hots South Florida Blues Society
2013 Selwyn Birchwood Suncoast Blues Society
Affiliated Blues Societies by State
Troy “Satchmo” Anderson and the Wonderful World Band bring their Tribute to Louis Armstrong to GLAZER HALL on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, presented in partnership with the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival — celebrating what would have been Armstrong’s 125th birthday (the show falls one day after his actual birthday). Doors open at 6 PM, showtime is 7 PM, and the performance runs approximately 90 minutes.
Anderson first fell in love with Armstrong’s music while playing with the 2nd Armored Division Jazz Band in Germany, where he was stationed as a paratrooper. After impressing high-ranking officials at a performance there, he was asked to put together an all-Armstrong tribute show, and he became known throughout Germany for both playing and singing like Satchmo, right down to Armstrong’s signature growl. A serious accident later threatened to end his trumpet career entirely, but Anderson made a remarkable recovery and, with guidance from South Florida’s Gold Coast Jazz Society, formed the Wonderful World Band. He also created “Who Was Louis Armstrong,” an educational series introducing elementary school students to the fundamentals of jazz through Armstrong’s music. Anderson and his band have become a fixture of the South Florida jazz scene and tour internationally, including stops in Germany and Budapest, Hungary.
Guests 21+ are invited to arrive early for a complimentary wine tasting courtesy of Virginia Philip Wine Spirits & Academy, and to toast Armstrong’s birthday with the show’s specialty cocktail, the Orange Satchmo.
Band lineup:
Troy Anderson – Vocals & Trumpet
Jim Gasior – Piano
Augustin Conti – Contrabass
John Yarling – Drums
Dante Luciani – Trombone
Gainesville Big Band Musicians (7/23/26)
Saxophones:
Alto 1 - Ryan Gamberino
Alto 2 - Joanna Adhami
Tenor 1 - John Gregory
Tenor 2 - Brian Johnson
Baritone Saxophone - Joe Davis
Trumpets:
Trumpet 1 - Rick Marion
Trumpet 2 - Ryan Hall
Trumpet 3 - Vito Montauk
Trumpet 4 - Adrienne Widener
Trombones:
Trombone 1 - Ethan Spencer
Trombone 2 - Michael Murphy
Trombone 3 - Jayven Cromwell
Bass Trombone - Marco Thomas
Rhythm Section:
Guitar - Darren Burgess
Piano - Pamelli Marafon
Bass - Chad Young
Drums - Jon Jackson
Vocalist:
Timothy Trail