2025 Festival Schedule

Warren Haynes Band

Saturday / 8:30pm

Visionary GRAMMY Award-winning artist Warren Haynes is a cornerstone of the American music landscape, lauded as one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era and a prolific songwriter and producer. He effortlessly cross-pollinates genres and unfurls solos that broil with passion in his distinctive, signature style. Throughout his prolific career as part of three of the greatest live groups in rock history… (Read more)

Ruthie Foster

Saturday / 6:45pm

As the milestone tenth studio album from folk-blues luminary Ruthie Foster, Mileage finds the singer-songwriter reflecting on a life full of professional triumphs, personal loss, and a musical journey that took a self-described “little Black girl with a guitar” from singing at churches in rural Texas to chalking up multiple Grammy nominations and collaborating with fellow greats such as Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. (Read more)

Jontavious Willis

Saturday / 5:00pm

Jontavious Willis is resolved in his mission: to reinvigorate today’s Blues with the spirit of the past. Inspired by a time when the Blues were plentiful and rhythm reigned supreme, Jontavious leverages his unique sound—a synthesis of his Georgia heritage and reverence for traditional Blues—to get the world dancing again. (Read more)

The Shylocks Duo

Saturday / 4:30, 6:15pm (Side Stage)

The Shylocks Duo cut a wide path across Texas, Delta, Chicago, Piedmont & Swamp regional styles offering audiences a unique crossover to traditional & modern blues music. 300+ performances & 7 years in the rear view mirror help create a veritable gumbo of greasy acoustic blues. (Read more)

The Ripcords

Saturday / 3:30pm

The Ripcords began as a project put together by Rex Lyons to explore some of his favorite music using some of his collaborators in The Roustabouts, another renowned roots band in CNY fronted by Dugan Henhawk. Dugan and Rex go way back to CNY’s seminal punk and roll band, Whiteboy and the Wagonburners, that set CNY afire in the late 80’s and early 90’s. (Read more)

The Westcott Jug Suckers

Saturday / 2:10pm

Helmed by Syracuse music veteran Colin Aberdeen, the band fuses a unique blend of blues, jug band, zydeco and old school rock ‘n roll to create an undeniably fun mix unlike anything you’re likely to find elsewhere. (Read more)

Tom Barnes

Saturday / 1:40, 3:00pm (Side Stage)

Tom Barnes is a full time professional musician from Skaneateles N.Y. specializing in guitar and vocals. With 20 years private teaching experience, 25-30 lesson spots booked weekly, and an average of 200 live performances per year there is not much time to hold down a day job. Instead, days have been spent writing music and learning many other instruments such as mandolin, ukulele… (Read more)

Jake Lozo Band

Saturday / 1:00pm

Jake Lozo is a blues musician whose raw, soulful sound blends the legacy of the genre’s greats with a fresh, modern twist. Drawing influence from legends like Buddy Guy, BB King, and Ronnie Earl, Jake’s guitar work is as fiery as it is expressive, weaving together the rich tradition of blues with his personal style. (Read more)

Blues Ignition

Saturday / 12:00pm

Youth development and music education are important components of the New York State Blues Festival. Blues Ignition is made up of local students brought together by their passion for learning this great American art form.

Southern Avenue

Friday / 9:00pm

Since their explosive debut on Stax Records in 2017, Southern Avenue has been a beacon of energy, captivating audiences worldwide with their high-octane performances and infectious sound. The band, deeply rooted in the blues and the rich musical traditions of Memphis, has garnered critical acclaim, including a coveted GRAMMY® Award nomination in 2020 for “Best Contemporary Blues Album” and multiple honors at the Blues Music Awards. (Read more)

The Kingsnakes

Friday / 7:15pm

Syracuse, NY blues legends The Kingsnakes are nationally known and respected. The Kingsnakes rank right up there with the best of the blues revival bands of the 1980’s like The Nighthawks & Fabulous Thunderbirds. They were John Lee Hooker’s backing band for four years from 1987 to 1990 on tours of the Eastern half of North America. Highlights of those tours were backing Bonnie Raitt and John Lee at the 1990 Saratoga Bluesfest… (Read more)

Blue Avenue feat. Joanna Nix & Mark Doyle

Friday / 5:30pm

Blue Avenue featuring Joanna Nix & Mark Doyle is the name of this new Blues/Rock project and will feature the powerhouse vocals of Joanna Nix, along with the scintillating guitar work of Central New York legend , Mark Doyle. (Read more)

Tim Herron

Friday / 5:00, 6:45pm (Side Stage)

Tim has been a mainstay on the upstate NY music scene for years with six albums as the leader of the Tim Herron Corporation and three solo albums. He blends blues, folk, jazz and rock into an eclectic mix of American roots music. (Read more)

Ron Spencer’s Jumpstart 20th Anniversary

Friday / 4:00pm

Conceived back in 2000 as an ‘old school’ R&B revue, the seven piece horn driven band was the brainchild of CNY blues guitarist Ron Spencer. Centered around a core rhythm section of the area’s top musicians and vocalists, Jumpstart became a NYS Blues Fest crowd favorite! (Read more)

The Three Kings feat. D.K. Harrell, Chris Cain & Albert Castiglia

Thursday / 9:00pm

The Three Kings pay tribute to BB King, Albert King and Freddie King. Rick Booth, President of Intrepid Artists Int’l came up with the concept after a combination of casual phone calls with a few of the artists he represents, Chris Cain, D.K. Harrell and Albert Castiglia. It was blatantly obvious from the get-go that, as a kid, Little Village Recording Artist, D.K. Harrell studied all of BB Kings moves, and wanted to follow in The King’s path. (Read more)

The Chris O’Leary Band

Thursday / 7:15pm

Devastatingly soulful vocalist, dynamic harmonica master and superlative songwriter Chris O’Leary is among the blues and roots world’s most talented unsung heroes. The award-winning O’Leary—disciple and friend of both The Band’s legendary drummer/vocalist/songwriter Levon Helm and iconic blues harmonica giant James Cotton—has been playing professionally since the 1990s, with five previous solo albums to his credit. (Read more)

Kat Riggins

Thursday / 5:30pm

Inspired by a rich tapestry of musical genres, Kat Riggins’ soul-stirring music pays homage to R&B, soul, gospel, and rock-n-roll. Yet, at her core, Kat is undeniably a BLUES WOMAN! She’s on a global mission with her Blues Revival Movement, aiming to awaken the world to the depth and authenticity of blues music. Kat’s powerhouse voice, often likened to iconic greats like Koko Taylor and Tina Turner, is a force to be reckoned with. (Read more)

Skip Murphy & Big D

Thursday / 4:30, 6:45pm (Side Stage)

Big D & Skip Murphy have joined together to form a tight, dynamic duo! They create an atmosphere of camaraderie, good times and a friendly vibe that is sure to draw you into the music they create. Both Veteran musicians, their goal is to entertain and make audiences smile! (Read more)