Handbill courtesy of BAMFest 2009

With major renovations of Lake Bellevue in Belleville, the 4th Annual Belleville American Music Fest (BAMFest) will be held at another location for the next few years. This year, the folks at the East Side Club at 3735 Monona Drive in Madison are hosting this great event outside on the shore of beautiful Lake Monona.

National Blues greats will bring top Blues talent to town this year. Former Steve Winwood guitarist and Grammy nominee Bobby Messano will light up the night with his special brand of blues guitar. In addition to Winwood's band, Bobby was a member of the rock band Starz and Lou Graham's band after he left Foreigner. His musical resume also includes time with Tycoon, Ellen Foley and Suzanne Fellini and Franke & the Knockouts.

In headliner Chris Duarte's musical view, the journey is as important as the destination, maybe even more so. Since emerging in the mid-1990s from Austin, Texas, a blues guitar hotbed, Duarte has forged new pathways for the blues and scouted numerous fresh trails for creative musical expression. Lauded for the exquisite artistry and vivid tonality of his six-string work, over the last decade Duarte has also proven his considerable mettle as a songwriter, singer and bandleader. Says Chris, "I'm a musician who is still out there searching for better ways to get from point A to point B, and better my craft. I'm just not content staying in one place."

There'll be a Blues Stage at Willy Street!

MBS has been working hard with the organizers of the Willy Street Fair and this year MBS sponsorship is bringing the Blues to Willy Street! The 2009 Willy Street Fair will have a Blues Stage with 4 great Blues Bands playing through the day.

We've reached out and brought in top Chicago talent Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials. And you'll really be in the swing of things with the Minneapolis band Davina and the Vagabonds. Great Blues from local bands round out the show. It'll be a fantastic day and it's all 100% FREE!

On Madison's Capital Square
at 816 State Street

You'll get close up and personal with some of the best musicians in the Madison area at this great series to be held on three Fridays in September and October. MBS got together with the staff at the Wisconsin Historical Museum and came up with quite a program.

Ever wanted to know more about the background and history of some of the musicians you've seen play around Madison? In the Blues Meets Jazz series, three local musicians who have played in both genres give you in inside look at where they came from and how they got to be where they are today.

Were also getting some local youth music groups to come in and join the fun. They'll open with a short performance then hang around and connect with the pros. Musicians sharing their background is a night you won't want to miss! Bring your dancin' shoes as each event will feature a short set of live music.