Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, New Brunswick

A special documentary on the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, commissioned by Harvest organizers and written and directed by Fredericton film maker John Pollack, debuted in early May.  The film captures the energy and excitement of downtown Fredericton during the festival.  Visit:  http://youtu.be/KnmjaI8oVLA

Also in May, the 2013 lineup was announced.  Altogether, 180 different performances will be featured during the festival, which runs from September 10 – 15, 2013.

Among the names released is The Wailers, the reggae group that continues on the legacy of its founder, the late Bob Marley.  Since Marley’s death, the group has been fronted by original bassist, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, a direct connection to every classic reggae hit by the group.  Also confirmed were three of the biggest names in modern blues, doing a special celebration of the genre’s unique culture.  The concert is called True Blues, and will feature Corey Harris, Guy Davis and Alvin Youngblood Hart.

As always, the Harvest line-up is heavy on local Maritime talent, and a raft of it was announced.  This year will see sets by Hey Rosetta!, Buck 65, Rich Aucoin, Keith Hallett & Garrett Mason, Thom Swift, Charlie A’Court, Ben Caplan & the Casual Smokers, In-Flight Safety, and of course, the only group that has played every one of the 23 years of the festival, Fredericton’s celebrated Downtown Blues Band.