Detroit Blues Challenge this weekend

The Detroit Blues Challenge, hosted by the Detroit Blues Society, continues with solo/duo and band competitions this weekend.

On Saturday (Nov. 19), performers Lena Williams, William Toll, Jeff Grand, Gwen Hayes, and Buzz ‘N Buster will compete in the solo/duo competition at 7 p.m. at The Oxford Tap, 36 S. Washington St. in Oxford. The winner will represent the Detroit Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

On Sunday (Nov. 20), Bea B., Sweet Willie and the Tea Bones, and the Chris Canas Band will compete in the band category at 7 p.m. at Freddy's, 40000 Garfield in Clinton Township. The winner of Sunday’s event will face the band 3 Ton Soul in the band finals at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 22) at Freddy’s, with the winner advancing to Memphis.

JEFF GRAND

The 2012 International Blues Challenge competition will be held Jan. 31 – Feb. 4, 2012 in Memphis in the Beale Street entertainment district. Tickets are available now.

The 28^th annual IBC, presented by The Blues Foundation, will begin with the FedEx International Showcase (Jan. 31). Quarterfinals will be held  Feb. 1-2, the semifinals on Feb. 3 and the finals in the Orpheum Theater on Feb. 4. There will also be a youth showcase for those under the age of 21 on the afternoon of Feb. 3. In 2011, 110 bands and 83 solo/duo acts competed.

The list of current blues artists that have competed in the IBC over the years includes Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, the late Sean Costello, Larry Garner, Zac Harmon, Jason Ricci, Super Chikan, Susan Tedeschi, and Watermelon Slim, among many others.

For information on IBC, click www.blues.org. For info on the Detroit Blues Society, click www.detroitbluessociety.org.

 To send info to JB Blues, please email Joe.Ballor@dailytribune.com.