UPPER LAKE, Calif. — Six well-known blues bands over three evenings highlight the 18th annual Blue Wing Blues Festival this Labor Day weekend. 

The festival is held in the cool of the early evening under the sycamore trees between the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Restaurant in Upper Lake. 

Headliners this year include the powerful Bay Area blues vocalist Tia Carroll, the big blues band sound of Anthony Paule and his Soul Orchestra, and a reunion of veteran members of the well-known Blues Project Quintet.

The event starts at 6 p.m. each day beginning on Saturday, Aug. 30, and extending through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.

Patrons are seated around comfortable tables in the garden and served a delicious buffet supper while enjoying the music. A short video including clips from past festivals can be found on YouTube. 

“This should be one of the best line-ups of musicians we’ve ever had here in Lake County,” said KJ DeSoto of BW Blues Productions in Kelseyville. She and co-producer Brad White have been assisting the Tallman Hotel in putting together this festival over the last few years.

Opening night on Aug. 31 will focus on some of the finest female artists in the business. 

Tia Carroll and her band have headlined festivals all over the world and shared the stage with the likes of Ray Charles, Elvin Bishop and Tommy Castro. 

Opening for Carroll will be the Women in Blues Experience with Otilia Donaire, Jill Dineen, Marina Crouse and Pamma Jamma on keys. Opening night tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Tallman Hotel.

On Sunday night, Aug. 31, the popular Red’s Blues Band from Sacramento will open for the big band sounds of the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, featuring the great Willy Jordan on vocals. With Paule on guitar and a full horn section to back him up, Jordan’s commanding stage presence and stirring vocals should produce a truly memorable evening. Tickets for the Saturday show can also be purchased online through Eventbrite or by calling the Tallman.

Capping the festival on Monday, Sept. 1, will be a reunion of members of the original Blues Project, that sold out venues from Greenwich Village to Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Led by percussionist Roy Blumenfeld, the group includes guitarists David Aguilar and Mark Newman with Ken Clark on keys and Tim Eschliman on bass. Opening for the Project will be the talented vocalist Cathy Lemons with Phil Berlowitz and the Lucky Losers Band. 

Tickets for the Monday show can also be purchased online or by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.

“I’d like to thank the many excellent local businesses that have continued to sponsor the Festival each year, and to support quality live music in Lake County,” said festival co-sponsor Bernie Butcher. 

Major sponsors this year include Kat McNeill & Lance Bowman, Lake County Tribal Health, Groundworks, and Reynolds Systems.

Also sponsoring are the law offices of Daniel Ray Bacon, Mary Haere Amodio, Judy Conard, Kelseyville Lumber, Bicoastal Media, Chacewater Wines and Olive Mill, Dancing Crow Wines, Jon and Annette Hopkins, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Lake Event Design, Tom and Ruth Lincoln, and Sysco Foods.

Tickets cost $75 plus tax, which includes a delicious barbecue dinner. They may be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or by calling the Tallman Hotel, located at 9550 Main St. in Upper Lake, at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.