The Northern Arizona Blues Alliance presents the free Sedona Red Rockin’ Blues Festival on Saturday, April 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Pavilion in West Sedona.

Founded in 2014, the NAZBA’s mission is “to promote, teach and advance blues music through networking with fans, musi­cians, entertainment venues, promoters, other music and civic organizations.

Each October, NAZBA hosts the local International Blues Challenge in Clarkdale, where the band and solo/duo competition winners go on to compete in Memphis’s IBC, the premier Blues Foundation event. For the last 36 years, winners of the local band and solo/duo local competitions from 125 U.S Blues Foundation affiliates and 20 countries descend upon Memphis to compete for the IBC title.

The lineup features many of performers who have competed and or won their local competition in both the Phoenix Blues Society and NAZBA competitions, some making it to the semifinal round of Memphis competition. The lineup features styles ranging from Americana and swamp blues, Chicago blues, jazz blues, R&B and rock blues.

Attendees are asked to bring folding chairs, blankets and sun shade. Beer and wine will be available.

There will be vendors, a 50/50 raffle. This is also a pet-friendly environment, and the Verde Valley Humane Society will bring adoption animals.

The lineup for the event is as follows:

• Noon to 12:50 p.m.: Jacqui Foreman, solo guitarist. She brings a raw, dynamic, old soul collection of original songs and sounds as well as creatively crafted versions of covers. She effortlessly weaves elements of folk, rock, blues, jazz, soul and pop. She won the 2018 NAZBA IBC competition and competed in the Memphis IBC in 2019.
• 1 to 1:50 p.m.: Big Daddy D, guitarist, and the Dynamites with Ray DeSylvester on harp. This is a high-energy band blending American roots, rock, soul and R&B to create an up-tempo, house-rocking sound that will keep the dance floor filled. Darryl opened for Buddy Guy in 2018 at the Colorado River Blues Festival and has represented both the Phoenix Blues Society and NAZBA in the Memphis IBC in 2008 and 2015. DeSylvester competed as a solo NAZBA artist representing NAZBA in Memphis in 2014. Joining Big Daddy D and DeSylvester are the power rhythm section of Roger Smith, a regular with the Tommy Dukes Band, and Dr. Bob Sellani, NAZBA Verde Valley Area vice president, and four-time IBC competitor and semifinalist.
• 2 to 2:50 p.m.: Tommy Dukes Band. Dukes got his first guitar at age 13 from older brother Robert Evans, and the instru­ment became his constant companion. Dukes was the first Northern Arizona musician to be inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, which he considered “a great thrill.” He performed at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Arkansas in 2005, the Memphis IBC 2007 and with Bobby “Blue” Bland, Lonnie Brooks, Tyrone Davis, John Lee Hooker, Little Anthony and the Imperials and Joe Louis Walker.
• 3 to 3:50 p.m.: Bresnan Unplugged. Dan Bresnan, vocals and acoustic guitar, is an international recording artist, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and luthier. His well acclaimed Bresnan Blues Band’s 2014 debut CD, “Party in My Backseat,” has received rave reviews and has been in regular rotation on radio stations across Europe. His performance and songwriting style is a fusion of folk rock, Americana, roots, blues, classic rock, influenced also by 1940s and 1950s pop standards.
• 4 to 4:50 p.m.: Scott O’Neal Band. O’Neal is a blues songwriter and guitarist and has been in the Arizona blues circuit for many years. In addition to his NAZBA responsibilities, he is a board member of the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame and respon­sible for organizing and hosting NAZBA’s Sunday Blues Jam in Prescott. The band includes Sellani on drums, Dr. Tim on the keyboards and Gary VanSlyke on bass.
• 5 to 5:50 p.m.: Electric Swamp Poets. Guitarist and lead vocalist Christian Michael Berry is a record producer, session player, production coordinator for both music and film and album cover artist, working with Billy Preston, Stone Temple Pilots, Golden Earning and The Hellecasters. He is joined by Jerry DeLuca on drums, Jim Kelley on bass, and Dr. Tim on keyboards.

Questions or comments about this event can be directed to Sellani at (954) 465-0998 or drbob.nazba@gmail.com.

NAZBA is a 501(c)(3) corporation and proceeds from all the group’s events go to support local blues musicians and to further promote blues as an American art form.