Big Daddy Wilson and Charlie Musselwhite in Zagreb

After last year’s premiere, the 2nd International Blues Festival will take place this year in Zagreb between the 9th and the 12th of June. The festival will feature a real sensation: spectacular performances by American blues singer, Big Daddy Wilson; and the legendary harmonica master, Charlie Musselwhite.

Despite the fact that blues already has deep roots within Croatian borders, Zagreb only got its first international blues festival last year; a spectacular premiere notwithstanding, this year’s edition will bring even greater challenges. The festival will take place between the 9th and the 12th of June, and the main stars will be the undisputed blues greats: American singer, Big Daddy Willson; and one of the greatest harmonica masters, Charlie Musselwhite.

Big Daddy Wilson and trio, who will perform on June 10th at the Student Centre, will certainly be a treat for numerous blues fans in Zagreb. His expressive “black” voice, and even greater songs, will be appreciated by anyone who understands blues and soul. He is a top-class musician who was born 50 years ago in the American state of North Carolina. At the age of 16, he came to Germany as an American soldier and that is where he still lives today. He has recorded a total of seven albums, the last of which, “Love is the Key”, was released by the renowned blues production house “Ruff Records”.

The second renowned name of this new festival is the top-class harmonica master, Charlie Musselwhite, whose performance audiences can enjoy on June 11th. His famous vocals, the rich sound of melodic harmonica, and a deep country-blues guitar resonance have influenced numerous unforgettable songs over the past several decades. In his prolific career he released more than 30 albums with countless hits, he has been nominated for a Grammy six times, and received the prestigious Blues Music award 24 times. He draws his music roots of essential blues from the areas where he spent his youth. He was born in Mississippi, grew up in Memphis, and was schooled in Chicago’s South Side; all of these locations influenced his music preference. Over time, however, he opened his music expression to include other music genres such as country and city blues, as well as gospel and rockabilly, which has undeniably influenced the creation of the recognizable sound that the Zagreb audience will now have an opportunity to enjoy.