The 2024 blues music festival schedule features 30A Songwriters Festival, Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Chinook Fest, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, plus many more. These festivals contain sounds that encapsulate the emotional essence of the human experience that the genre is known for. Rooted in African musical traditions, the blues is characterized by its soulful vocals, expressive guitar work, and a distinctive twelve-bar chord progression. Lyrics often explore themes of hardship, love, and resilience. Pioneered by artists like Robert Johnson, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters, the blues has influenced numerous genres, from rock to jazz. With its raw and heartfelt expression, the blues remains a cornerstone of American musical heritage, connecting listeners to the profound emotions embedded in its soul-stirring rhythms.
Annapolis
Sep 10-13, 2026 