Erie's own, Jeremy Jaeger & The Jive Turkeys is a Blues band with heart that will lay down the grooves and melodies to open our weekend! Mixing classic blues tones with modern influences, this band creates a sound of its own. Frontman Jeremy Jaeger provides powerful vocals and exceptional guitar playing leading to tight instrumentals. Accompanied by the dynamic rhythms of talented musicians who know how to get you feeling good and dancing…

3 Kings—A powerhouse of legendary Erie musicians showcasing years of blues experience pays homage to the icons, Freddie King, B.B. King, and Albert King! 3 Kings captivates audiences by expertly channeling the rich legacies of these titans of blues. This performance will capture the spirit and passion that each KING brought to their music. Every note will resonate with authenticity, transporting fans on a euphoric journey through timeless classics. With dynamic stage presence and masterful musicianship, 3 Kings doesn't just play the blues—they celebrate it in all its glory!

Hailing from Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for almost 30 years. The band's big sound, fueled by Lil' Ed's gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. With The Big Sound Of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, the band continues to bring their blistering Chicago blues to "Ed Heads" new and old. Their infectious energy, joyful showmanship and masterful playing have been honed to a razor's edge by their many years together. Lil' Ed, Pookie, Mike and Kelly have seen sports stars and presidents, musical fads and fashion trends come and go. Meanwhile, their fiery music has more than stood the test of time. "We're not band members," says Williams, "we're family, and families stay together." Night after night, gig after riotous gig, the musical family called Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials bring their big, dynamic Chicago blues sound to fans across the country, around the world and now to the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival!

Although award-winning Florida musician Selwyn Birchwood is firmly rooted in the tradition, the young guitarist, lap steel player, songwriter and vocalist sets a course for the future of the blues with his visionary, original music. Birchwood, whose band features the pulsating interplay of
his blistering guitar with Regi Oliver's driving baritone sax, deploys a singular sound and style
all his own. He calls it "Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues," an intoxicating mix of deep blues, psychedelic-tinged rock, booty-shaking funk and sweet Southern soul, played and sung with the fire-and-brimstone fervor of a revival tent preacher with a hellhound on his trail. Simply put, Birchwood is a force of nature. His ability to win over an audience—any audience—is proven night after night on the bandstand. With his warm, magnetic personality, Birchwood is as down-to-earth as his music is, thought-provoking and electrifying. With his band feeding off his energy, the 6'3" musician roams the stage barefoot, ripping out memorable guitar licks with ease, his soulful, rocks-and-gravel vocals firing up his fans. When he sits down to play his lap steel, he takes the crowd to a whole other level, with the music exorcising any bad times and troubles.

Founded in 2011, in Houston, Texas, The Suffers built a devoted local following before breaking out internationally in 2015 on the strength of their extraordinary debut EP, Make Some Room, which helped land them performances everywhere from Letterman to NPR's Tiny Desk. The band followed it up in 2016 with a self-titled full-length that yielded similarly widespread acclaim along with star-making performances at Newport Folk and on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. By the time the group released their 2018 sophomore effort, Everything Here, their arrival as critical and festival favorites was undeniable: NPR praised the "multidimensional, multicultural possibilities of their take on soul," while The Guardian called the album an "adventurous" collection that "blends 70s R&B, disco, jazz, and contemporary gospel," and Rolling Stone proclaimed it "an inspired vision of roots music."

This Erie-based jazz-rock trio blends the vibes of The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and more into, high-energy set. Ethan Foulk (guitar), Colin Push (bass), and Lizzy Jurich (drums)—deliver dynamic, genre-defying performances every time they play. Known for their versatility and creativity, Kactai's sound keeps audiences on their feet and coming back for more.

Jazz Paper Scissors is a culmination of styles - jazz, rock, funk, blues - and of the varied playing experiences of its four members (Sheldon Peterson, guitar, compositions; Allen Zurcher, tenor sax; David Blaetz, bass; Matt Ferguson, drums). Born of 3/4 of the band Potato Battery, JPS adds Allen Zurcher to the lineup, bringing his electrifying soloing to the party. JPS highlights Sheldon Peterson's compositions, countering the often tired conventions of standard jazz repertoire. The members have played together in projects dating back to the 70s, which brings a confidence and freedom to the music and enables Sheldon to write to the strengths of the musicians, resulting in an original, unique sound. Their music sets the stage for a focus on improvisation.  Jazz critic Whitney Balliett called jazz the sound of surprise. JPS's favorite listening and playing moments arise from the fleeting feeling of, "Wait, what just happened?"  Anticipate what may happen!

The Cool Reborn is a project dedicated to honoring and reinterpreting Miles Davis's groundbreaking 1949–1950 project Birth of the Cool on the 75th anniversary of the final recording sessions. Drawing from the original nonet's lush, forward-thinking arrangements, this group brings new life to a pivotal moment in jazz history—when bebop collided with chamber music and the cool sound of third stream jazz was born. With a lineup that mirrors the original instrumentation—trumpet, trombone, french horn, tuba, alto sax, baritone sax, piano, bass, and drums—The Cool Reborn delivers faithful renditions of the classic arrangements by Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, and John Lewis, while also exploring contemporary offerings inspired by the spirit of innovation that defined the original recordings. Featuring a lineup of accomplished local musicians, the Renaissance Nonet bridges eras and styles, creating a rich sonic tapestry that pays homage to the past while engaging the present. Whether you're a lifelong Miles fan or discovering the cool aesthetic for the first time, The Cool Reborn invites you to experience a timeless sound with new ears.

Brent Birckhead is a distinguished saxophonist, composer, and educator whose aesthetic is an intersectional amalgam of traditional and popular styles. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, and educated at Howard University, earning his BME and MM degrees, Birckhead honed his craft and established himself as a formidable talent. During his time at Howard, Birckhead received accolades including "Best Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist" and "Outstanding Instrumental Jazz Soloist" by Downbeat Magazine, and was named "Best Alto Saxophonist'' by the Washington City Paper in 2011. The New York Times hailed him as "one of the most riveting young improvisers in New York." Throughout his professional journey, Brent has shared stages with renowned artists like Lauryn Hill, SWV, Nas, and George Duke, expanding his musical horizons and embracing a fusion of genres that redefine contemporary jazz. In 2019, Birckhead released his self-titled debut album on Revive Music rooted in activism, introspection, and sonic experimentation. It was called an album "with multiple layers of musical expression, emotional depth, and social commentary." His second album, "Cacao", released in April 2024, is a testament to his growth and evolution as an artist. The album has received critical acclaim, with Downbeat Magazine praising it as "an album you can play forever on a loop." Paris Move describes it as "an album as enjoyable as a hot chocolate sipped on the terrace of a cafe on a winter afternoon." Expect a performance full of soul, surprise, and masterful musicianship.—this quintet delivers a sound that's sure to impress even the most discerning ears.

When you hear your first Garaj Mahal note leading into an innovative fusion of funky jazz with a tasty World Music flair, all other thoughts leave your mind as the music takes you on an unforgettable voyage. Fans return to experience the band again and again because they know they will always hear something new and progressive from four first-class musicians. Featuring world-renowned bass master and educator Kai Eckhardt, keyboard wizard Oz Ezzeldin, guitar and sitar virtuoso Fareed Haque, and legendary Fishbone drummer Hassan Hurd, Garaj Mahal combines a century of musical experience to create a sound that's always new, freshly infused with a wide spectrum of musical expression, and always smoking hot. Touring extensively since their formation in 2000, Garaj Mahal won the Independent Music Award for Best Jam Album in 2007 for their album Blueberry Cave. Their collective musical experience allows them to constantly push the envelope of composition and improvisation. Garaj Mahal's sound – a convergence of jazz-style improvisation, mystical Middle-Eastern atmospheres, and danceable American funk - attracts music lovers from all parts of the spectrum, and creates a profoundly unique experience. Each band member dedicates every drop of his education, history, and life-long passion for music to their audience every time they step on stage. The band members' virtuosity is no surprise when you look at even a few of the amazing artists they've performed and/or recorded with over the years including Dizzy Gillespie, John McLaughlin, Sting, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Holland, Bela Fleck, Chick Corea, Steve Smith, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Les Claypool, Trey Anastasio, Umphrey's McGee, MMW, Steve Kimock, and Michael Manring.