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.

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!