B.B. King leads stars at Great South Bay Music Festival Patchogue, NY 7-20-14

After the most successful opening night in Great South Bay Musical Festival history on Friday July 18th there was plenty more in store with two days filled with music left. On Saturday July 19th popular jam band Moe. led the way with nineteen other established and budding young local acts. Then on the final day of the annual festival, on Sunday July 20th, attendance records were shattered once again with over 5,000 showing up to witness twenty more bands led by the legendary guitarist B.B. King. Starting at noon on the Blue Point Brews Stage it was the perfect Sunday event for families to go down to Shorefront Park in Patchogue village to enjoy music, food, and spend time together.

Already having Enjoyed a bunch of different music, at 4:10 PM on the Blue Point Brew Stage, Commander Cody was ready to begin. Originally formed back in 1967 in Ann Arbor, MI. the band combines country, R&B, and straight up rock-n-roll. Now residents of New York, the band brings their unique brand of music into the new millennium to excite audiences. Coming out with a fast pace approach which had the crowd swinging their hips and stooping their feet, Commander Cody was energizing fun for all. Classics like “Hot Rod Lincoln” were just a few of the hightlights of this set. Commander Cody newest album Live From The Island was released in 2013 and includes a great portion of the band’s history.

At around 5:30 PM over at the Jambalaya Stage, local heroes Nine Days were getting warmed up. After three independent releases in the 1990’s the band broke into the mainstream in 2000 with their major label debut The Madding Crowd . The record has since gone platinum and put the band on the map representing Long Island. Now fourteen years since its release John Hampson (vocals, guitar), Brian Desveaux (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Dean (keyboards), Nick Dimichino (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Vincent Tattanelli (drums, percussion) are still going strong making new music and performing nationwide.

Performing a variety of tunes from their extensive discography including many songs off their 2013 release Something Out of Nothing. Stimulating smiles on everyone’s faces the band sounded as strong as ever as many danced about. Of course many screamed in excitement when the band played their number one hit “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” among the other great songs.
The band will be performing at The Paramount in Huntington, NY with Dishwalla and Stroke 9 September 20th so do not miss them live in action.

Back at the Blue Point Brew Stage at 7 PM singer-songwriter Anders Osborne was about to take the stage. Releasing his first album Doin’ Fine back in 1989 Osborne has consistently written and recorded including his most recent album Peace in 2013.

Combining a soulful blues sound with rock-n-roll Osborne rocked on guitar and vocals, as his band provided a wall of instrumentation behind him. Playing a list of old and new songs Osborne conversed with the audience explaining how his sound comes from hanging out in the French quarter of New Orleans, LA. The crowd showed appreciation for the passionate performance and good feelings were felt all around. Osborne continues to tour blues festivals through September.

Back at the Jambalaya stage at 7:40 PM another local favorite Randy Jackson was about to get started. Originally from New Orleans, Jackson and his now historic band Zebra relocated to Long Island in the late 1970’s and remained there since. Continuing to perform regularly as part of Zebra and solo, year after year, Jackson is perhaps one of the most adored and well known rock musicians on the island.

Anxious to see Jackson perform everyone found a seat and moved closer to the barricades to see him perform. Projecting his powerful voice onto the crowd and amplifying each lyric, Jackson was on top of his game. Combining vivid instrumentation the set had everyone clapping and whistling for more. Fortunate for many Jackson will be actively playing live up close and personal shows in and around the area for the next few months

After a full day of ripping blues and jazz tingling rock it was time for the grand finale at the Blue Point Brews Stage with B.B. King. For nearly seven decades King has been synonymous with blues rock touring tirelessly worldwide. Now at the age of 88 years old, age is nothing but number for this living legend as he continues to tour. With the sky dark and the night setting in, fans packed the grounds awaiting for King’s arrival on stage.

His band opened with two instrumental mood setters with ripping guitar solos and emotional horns getting the crowd revved up. Giving each talented musician a chance to showcase their abilities moments later they introduces “The King of Blues” himself. With rousing cheers King came out in high spirits and a gracious return of  the warm welcoming. Showing the ability to take a crowd of 5,000 plus and downsize the vibe to a small blues club King spoke affectionately about his friends and family. Playing on with tracks like “I Need You So” and “Rock Me Baby” King played each note with the soul and intensity that blues is founded on and everyone was just in awe to experience loving sensations in the air. King knew exactly how to keep the crowd going by asking if everyone was having a good time and receiving deafening screams each time. Attentive to his ever move, each string he plucked had people clamoring and whistling for more.

King is a treasure to the culture and history of American music. There was no doubt this audience was well aware of that and they relished in each moment he played. It seemed almost fitting for King to close out the eight annual Great South Bay Music Festival which many are saying is perhaps the best yet.

Catch coverage of the Great South Bay Music Festival July 18th below:

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