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Special Events - Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival

A Look Back at Glendale's 26th Annual Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival

The city of Glendale’s 26th Annual Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival has come to a close. However, you can still get an inside look at the excitement.

CLICK HERE to check out our online photo gallery!

About the Event

This year’s national acts included Jimmy Thackery, critically acclaimed guitar virtuoso formerly of The Nighthawks, a band with more than 30 years playing blues and roots rock. The Sunday night headliner was blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite. A six-time Grammy Award nominee, Musselwhite has released dozens of albums and has contributed to countless others including guesting on Bonnie Raitt's Grammy Award-winning “Longing In Their Hearts,” The Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy Award-winning “Spirit of the Century,” Tom Waits' “Mule Variations” and even playing the driving harmonica on INXS' “Suicide Blonde.”

Glendale’s longest-running festival featured an eclectic mix of artisans representing a variety of art forms. Four artists worked on-site, giving event attendees an interactive, one-of-a-kind experience to add to the musical performances.

Sponsors for the event included Gibson Guitar, Shell Vacations, KTVK Channel 3, Arizona Republic, KOOL, KMLE, JAMZ, Kokopelli Winery, Beck’s and Fuze.

The city of Glendale’s 26th Annual Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival was produced by Glendale’s Office of Special Events.

Fan Feedback!

• Thank you for yet another excellent Jazz & Blues Festival, and a bigger thank you for booking Harper.  It was an incredible show and such a unique sound.  Very entertaining!  I was very lucky to get a CD as he ran out.  Harper signed everyone's CD and was such a nice humble person to talk to.  I also enjoyed Jimmy Thackery, I’ve been a big fan for years. I love his band. I also wanted to compliment you on the sound. It was particularly good this year.
  Peace & Blues,
  Rachel Reeves
• I went out to the Jazz & Blues Festival this past weekend, and the music was fantastic! Your annual event is the best in Maricopa County.
  Dwayne Prince
• I wanted to thank you for an amazing Jazz & Blues Festival this year.  We had a whole weekend of great music,  good food and good vibes.   I particularly liked the Sunday lineup on the blues stage.  Harper was superb and such an interesting and unique artist. He also had a very hot band.  I became an instant fan. I also enjoyed Charlie Musselwhite.  It was a great day! 
  See you in 2010.
  Music lover,
  Dave Speers

Want to know who performed? Check out the 26th Annual Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival Lineup.